The buzz is building in Columbia, and for good reason. Recent footage circulating on social media shows South Carolina forward Chloe Kitts putting in serious work in the gym, with the caption “Comeback Season ” setting the tone for what promises to be a highly anticipated return.
The images and clips of “ChloRilla” grinding in the lab are more than just motivational content — they represent a significant milestone in a recovery journey that has tested one of the Gamecocks’ most important players.
Kitts has been sidelined throughout the entire 2025-26 season after suffering an ACL tear just before the campaign began. Despite the setback, Kitts shared an encouraging recovery update at USC’s annual Gamecock Gala, noting: “It’s going really well. I’m six and a half months out right now.” She added, “I’m able to do some workouts. Can’t do everything, but I’m just happy to be out there with my team.”
The mental side of the road back has been just as real as the physical. “Mentally, of course, it was pretty hard,” Kitts acknowledged, while crediting head coach Dawn Staley and the broader South Carolina program for helping her navigate the recovery.
Now, with her senior season locked in, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Kitts confirmed she will return for her final year of eligibility in the 2026-27 season, and she has plenty of unfinished business. In her junior year, she posted career-best numbers of 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, and was named SEC Tournament MVP — a performance that cemented her status as one of the premier frontcourt players in the country.
The gym footage is a signal to the rest of the SEC: ChloRilla is coming back, and she’s hungry. Senior year is locked in, and the Gamecocks’ frontcourt may be more dangerous than ever.
