South Carolina star Chloe Kitts ruled out for season with ACL tear: What does it mean?

After falling short of winning its fourth national championship, South Carolina women’s basketball team is once again expected to be a championship contender, but they will be without a veteran presence.

Senior forward Chloe Kitts has been ruled out for the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season due to an ACL tear in her right knee. Kitts, the 2025 SEC Tournament MVP, averaged 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last season for South Carolina, shooting 52% from the field.

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“We hate this first for Chloe, who has worked incredibly hard to become the best version of herself on the court this season,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said in a statement. Kitts’ former Gamecocks teammate Te-Hina Paopao wrote on Instagram, “Prayers up. comeback gon be crazy!”

Although Kitts said she’ll “lead, support and push my teammates from the sidelines,” the Gamecocks will miss her veteran leadership on the court. Here’s what Kitts’ injury means for South Carolina women’s basketball.

Who will replace Chloe Kitts in lineup?

The Gamecocks’ roster got revamp in the offseason. Seniors Te-Hina Paopao (Atlanta Dream), Sania Feagin (Los Angeles Sparks) and Bree Hall (Indiana Fever) all graduated and just finished the their first season in the WNBA. South Carolina lost sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (LSU) and senior center Sakima Walker (Cal) to the transfer portal. The picked up senior guard Ta’Niya Latson, who led the nation in scoring last season at Florida State, and senior center Madina Okot (Mississippi State). The Gamecocks also added recruits Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell.

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Despite the turnover, Kitts had remained a constant and was expected to start her fourth season in South Carolina after starting 38 games last season and 31 of 37 games during the Gamecocks’ championship run in 2023-24. However, South Carolina’s starting lineup will look different with Kitts sidelined.

Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards will likely slide into Kitts’ starting spot. Edwards came off the bench for the Gamecocks last season, making one start in 39 games, but she led the team in scoring with an average of 12.7 points per game, in addition to five rebounds and 1.2 assists last year. “Her teammates are capable of stepping up,” Staley said.

Kitts was projected to be a first-round WNBA draft pick next spring. She could enter the draft or return for a redshirt college season.

Chloe Kitts injury update

Kitts is expected to have surgery on her torn ACL this week, South Carolina announced on Monday. Kitts suffered the injury in practice, less than two weeks before the season tips off on Oct. 24.

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“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and support,” Kitts wrote on Instagram. “I recently suffered an ACL tear and, unfortunately, will be out for this season. While this isn’t how I hoped my senior season would go, I’m trusting God’s timing and purpose. I’ll continue to lead, support, and push my team from the sidelines. We have big things ahead.”