South Carolina women’s basketball standout Chloe Kitts is adding her voice to the ongoing debate around the WNBA’s age limit rule, which currently requires players to be 21 years old before they are eligible for the draft.
This rule sharply contrasts with the NBA’s policy, which allows players to declare for the draft at just 19. The discrepancy has sparked debate among players, analysts, and fans alike. In a past interview with BaconNetwork, Kitts shared that she doesn’t oppose the WNBA’s age restriction—largely because of the financial opportunities college athletes now have through NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals.
“Like, ‘Oh, why are guys allowed to go, and we’re not?’ And like me now, I feel like I am not really against, like, that rule,” Kitts said. “I feel like, especially, now with NIL, where we can make money, we are making money, and, you know, in the WNBA, like you make money there, too. But, like, it’s not a crazy salary right now.”
She continued,
“You know, it’s growing up, but at the end of the day, we’re still, they’re still underpaid. So, I feel like being able to stay, and, like, if you have the option to stay, then you should stay, especially if you’re making money and, like, you know, playing well and happy and stuff like that and get a degree.”
While Kitts respects the current rule, she did acknowledge that young phenoms like JuJu Watkins, the 19-year-old USC star, already have pro-level talent. According to Kitts, if players are ready, they should have the freedom to make that leap to the WNBA.
Chloe Kitts Shares Unique Way of Handling Pre-Game Anxiety
This past season was a breakout year for Chloe Kitts, who earned multiple honors including SEC Tournament MVP, Birmingham Regional MVP, and honorable mention All-American. But even with her on-court success, Kitts dealt with significant pre-game nerves.
To manage that anxiety, Kitts turned to an unexpected but calming solution: coloring. While many athletes turn to music or meditation, the Gamecocks forward credits her therapist for introducing her to coloring as a way to relax before games.
“I’m just so worried about the game, before the game. I want to play good, I want to win,” Kitts shared on ‘The Coop’ podcast. “But if you consume yourself with just basketball, it gets depressing.”
A native of Oviedo, Florida, Kitts joined South Carolina as a five-star recruit in 2022. She broke into the starting lineup during her sophomore year, where she averaged 9.1 points per game. In the 2024–25 season, she improved her game further, posting 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, helping the Gamecocks win the SEC Tournament and reach the NCAA title game, where they finished as runner-up.
