Chloe Kitts delivered her most convincing performance since returning from a season-ending ACL injury, recording a double-double as South Carolina defeated North Carolina 84-39 in the Ally Tipoff on Sunday.
The 6-foot-2 forward finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, leading all scorers and providing another indication that she is regaining the form that made her one of the Gamecocks’ most dependable players before her injury.
Kitts missed the entire 2025-26 season after tearing her ACL in October. Her return has been one of the important developments for Dawn Staley’s team this season, particularly given the experience and versatility she brings to an already talented roster.
Against North Carolina, she looked increasingly comfortable with her movement, positioning and decision-making. One possession captured her growing confidence. Kitts secured an offensive rebound between two defenders, created space with a pump fake and finished a difficult layup before converting the additional free throw.
After the game, Kitts said her physical condition had improved and that her confidence was returning with each appearance.
“I feel great,” Kitts said. “Every day, I’m just trying to get my confidence back. But my body feels good, and my team gives me confidence every day.”
Her performance represented a significant improvement from the season opener against Maryland in Paris, where she recorded eight points and seven rebounds. Kitts admitted that she experienced some nervousness during that first appearance, but she now feels more comfortable than she did before the injury.
“I actually feel more relaxed than when I used to play,” she explained. “I think the game has definitely slowed down a bit for me. And I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help the team.”
That confidence is particularly encouraging for South Carolina. Before her injury, Kitts established herself as a productive frontcourt player, averaging 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds during the 2024-25 season, when she earned All-American recognition.
Dawn Staley also identified an important change in Kitts’ recovery: playing without her protective leg brace.
The South Carolina coach described the adjustment as transformational, explaining that Kitts had previously relied on the brace for psychological comfort even after she could have stopped wearing it.
“We all know what Chloe can do. She can give you a double-double like that,” Staley said.
Staley also praised her unselfish approach and ability to contribute beyond the statistics.
“She’s a glue player; that’s very, very unselfish. She’s getting into the groove of playing how she played before her injury, and today was a good example of what she’s capable of.”
For the Gamecocks, Kitts’ return to that level of production provides another valuable dimension to their frontcourt. Her ability to score, rebound and make plays within the offense gives Staley additional flexibility as the season progresses.
South Carolina Shows Improvement After Maryland Scare
Kitts’ performance was part of a much more complete team display from South Carolina.
After surrendering a 31-point advantage in the second half against Maryland, the Gamecocks entered the UNC matchup with a clear emphasis on maintaining their intensity throughout the entire contest.
They responded by controlling the game from start to finish and never allowing North Carolina to establish a meaningful comeback. South Carolina maintained a double-digit advantage from the 7:33 mark of the second quarter onward.
Texas transfer Jordan Lee pointed to the team’s ability to sustain its performance across both halves as a major difference.
“Putting two halves together,” Lee said when discussing the improvement. She also acknowledged that the second-half performance against Maryland had fallen below the program’s expectations.
Staley, meanwhile, viewed the victory as another step in the team’s development. Although she acknowledged that the group still has areas to improve, she was particularly pleased with the players who finished the game and maintained the team’s execution on both ends of the floor.
“We’re a work in progress,” Staley said. “You’ll see us make jumps from game to game, and I’m really proud of the group that ended the game for us.”
South Carolina now has a 2-0 record, and Kitts’ performance offers another encouraging development for a team with considerable expectations. Her recovery is still progressing, but Sunday’s double-double provided a strong indication of what she can contribute as the Gamecocks continue their season.
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