South Carolina women’s basketball fans were sent into a panic this weekend after senior forward Chloe Kitts was spotted in a knee brace and on crutches.
During the Gamecock volleyball match against Georgia, Kitts appeared with a large brace on her right knee while seated alongside several of her teammates. The image quickly circulated online, sparking concern across social media.
As of now, the team has not issued any official update on Kitts’ condition.
Kitts, one of the Gamecocks’ most important returners, was a standout performer last season — averaging 10.2 points, a team-high 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Her breakout performances helped lead South Carolina to another SEC Tournament title and a Final Four appearance.
She made history last year with a 16-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double at Ole Miss — a performance that earned her SEC Tournament MVP and NCAA Birmingham Regional MVP honors. Kitts also received AP and USBWA Honorable Mention All-American recognition and is widely projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft.
Her potential loss would be a major blow to a South Carolina frontcourt already dealing with injuries. The Gamecocks are still without Ashlyn Watkins, who tore her ACL in January and opted to sit out the 2025–26 season to complete her rehab.
Fortunately, South Carolina still boasts an experienced core. Joyce Edwards, last season’s leading scorer and a First-Team All-SEC selection, returns alongside Maryam Dauda and Adhel Tac, who head coach Dawn Staley said “had strong summers” and are expected to take on bigger roles.
The Gamecocks also strengthened their frontcourt by adding Madina Okot, a 6-foot-6 transfer from Mississippi State who averaged 11.2 points and 9.6 rebounds last season.
Kitts’ journey with South Carolina has been remarkable since enrolling early in December 2022 as part of the 2023 recruiting class. She made an immediate impression with 10 points and 7 rebounds in her debut against Charleston Southern and evolved into a consistent starter by her sophomore year.
If the knee issue proves serious, South Carolina could be forced to lean heavily on its depth early in the season — but for now, Gamecock Nation is holding its breath and hoping for good news on one of its brightest stars.
