It is not the news head coach Dawn Staley wanted to give just before the start of the 2025-26 season. Staley and the Gamecocks have confirmed senior Chloe Kitts will not play the entire 2025-26 season with a torn ACL.
The senior forward confirmed the announcement on Monday, and now the Gamecocks just weeks before their first game of the season are dealt witha crushing set back as they contend for another NCAA title.
Crushing Blow for Gamecocks
Kitts was expected to be a cornerstone for the Gamecocks, as he has been since her freshman season. She was going to be one of the most experienced players for Coach Staley. Over her three seasons in Columbia, she started 69 games and was reliable on both ends of the court.
Last season, as South Carolina got back to the NCAA Tournament Final Four, she scored 10.2 points per game and ripped down 7.7 rebounds.
Head coach Dawn Staley expressed her heartbreak over the news, praising Kitts for her work ethic and leadership. “We hate this first for Chloe, who has worked incredibly hard to become the best version of herself on the court this season,” Staley said in a statement. “Her teammates are capable of stepping up, and I know her competitive fire will still be felt from the sidelines.”
Kitts earned SEC Tournament MVP honors last season, scoring 15 points with nine rebounds and three assists in the title game win over Texas. Her breakout moment came earlier in the tournament when she dropped 25 points in a dominant performance against Vanderbilt.
How South Carolina Moves Forward Without Its Veteran Leader
The loss of Kitts changes the whole outlook for South Carolina entering the new season. As one of the team’s emotional leaders and top rebounders, her loss leaves a big time gap in experience and production. The Gamecocks will now turn to a talented but younger frontcourt to fill the void.
South Carolina confirmed Kitts will undergo surgery later this week. Her recovery timeline will likely extend into next summer, with hopes of a full return in 2026.
Despite the loss, the Gamecocks remain among the top national title contenders. Staley’s depth and recruiting continue to be at the top of the game, and Kitts’ leadership from the bench could help steady the team through the emotional challenge of her absence.
South Carolina opens their season on Monday November 3rd as they host Grand Canyon in Columbia.