Chloe Kitts is nearing her return to the court after missing the entire 2025–26 season with a torn ACL, but South Carolina fans may need to wait before seeing the forward play a full workload.
During the SEC Basketball Tipoff on Tuesday in Birmingham, head coach Dawn Staley addressed the possibility of limiting Kitts’ minutes as the Gamecocks prepare for the 2026–27 season.
Kitts did not participate in South Carolina’s September exhibition against the College of Charleston. However, she could make her preseason debut when the Gamecocks face Benedict College on October 23.
Staley indicated that Kitts would probably have a minutes restriction for that exhibition as the coaching staff works her back into competitive action.
“She probably will be (limited) for the 23rd, I’m sure,” Staley said. “We still want to get her out there so she’s able to get some minutes, some game minutes under her belt. We don’t want the first game to be the first time she’s played competition.”
Staley did not provide a specific timetable for when Kitts might be cleared for a full workload during the regular season.
South Carolina opens its campaign against Maryland in Paris on November 2, giving Kitts a short window to gain competitive experience before the games begin to count.
Kitts Says She Is Fully Recovered
Kitts offered an encouraging update on her condition during the preseason media event. The forward said she feels physically ready and has continued to participate in daily basketball activities.
“I am 100%,” Kitts said Tuesday. “I am out there every day doing everything that I can. I always felt like I was ready to go.”
She also explained that the mental side of rehabilitation had not presented a major obstacle for her.
Kitts previously revealed that she no longer needed to wear a knee brace, although she could still use one for comfort.
Her confidence is encouraging, but South Carolina must still determine how quickly she can return to the demands of regular-season competition after such a lengthy absence.
Dawn Staley Praises Kitts’ Work Ethic
Staley also discussed the discipline Kitts has shown throughout her rehabilitation and her development since joining South Carolina midway through the 2022–23 season.
According to the coach, Kitts has been so committed to her training that the staff has sometimes needed to remind her to rest.
“Chloe has been very consistent with working hard. Like, very,” Staley said. “You don’t really have to worry about her getting in what she needs to get in.”
Staley added that Kitts has matured considerably as both a player and a teammate.
The forward’s recovery will be particularly important for a South Carolina team with significant expectations entering the new season. Her presence could give the Gamecocks another experienced option in a frontcourt that already features considerable talent.
What Kitts Could Bring to South Carolina
Before her injury, Kitts was establishing herself as an increasingly important part of the Gamecocks’ rotation.
During the 2024–25 season, she averaged a career-high 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. She also earned Most Valuable Player honors at the 2025 SEC Tournament.
Kitts has appeared in 93 games for South Carolina and brings valuable experience to a roster with championship ambitions.
Her performances before the injury also generated discussion about her potential as a first-round WNBA Draft selection. She was subsequently named to the SEC Preseason All-SEC Second Team ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.
Staley believes Kitts is eager to reach that next level.
“I think Chloe just wants it,” Staley said. “She wants it now. She wants to be in the WNBA now because she put the work in, and when you put the type of work that she puts in, the expectation is to be there.”
For now, the immediate priority is to help Kitts return to competitive basketball safely while preparing her for the demands of another SEC season.
The big question for South Carolina fans is how quickly Kitts can regain her pre-injury form. If she returns to the level she showed in 2024–25, her contribution could be significant as the Gamecocks pursue another successful season under Dawn Staley.
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