Chloe Kitts Out for Season with Injury, SC Star Was Top 10 Prospect for WNBA Draft

South Carolina forward Chloe Kitts announced Monday she'll miss the 2025-26 season after tearing her ACL.

"While this isn't how I hoped my senior season would go, I'm trusting God's timing and purpose," she wrote on social media. "I'll continue to lead, support, and push my teamm from the sidelines. We have big things ahead!"

"We hate this first for Chloe, who has worked incredibly hard to become the best version of herself on the court this season," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley also said. "Her teammates are capable of stepping up, and I know that her competitive fire and tenacity will be felt from the sidelines as she pours what she can into them to ensure our team's success."

In May, Bleacher Report's Rachel Galligan projected Kitts to be the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.

Kitts averaged 10.2 points on 52 percent shooting along with 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists as a junior for the Gamecocks. She stepped up during the NCAA tournament, dropping a double-double (15 points and 11 rebounds) in a Sweet 16 win over Maryland and then scoring 14 points as South Carolina saw off Duke in the Elite Eight.

While Kitts doesn't boast big assist numbers, Galligan singled out her ability to facilitate the offense.

"Kitts' passing is one of the most impressive aspects of her game and will translate exceptionally well in the pros," Galligan said. "The 6'2" forward is extremely versatile and can operate from facing up, create out of ball screens and has really good vision from the perimeter and in the post."

South Carolina lost Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall and Sania Feagin to the 2025 WNBA draft, while MiLaysia Fulwiley transferred out to LSU. With Kitts now down for the year, Staley has to replace five of her top seven scorers from 2024-25.

The Gamecocks still have Joyce Edwards, an All-SEC honoree as a freshman, to lead the frontcourt, while Florida State transfer Ta'Niya Latson should help fill the void left by Fulwiley. Still, Kitts' absence will be felt for South Carolina as it tries to make a sixth straight Final Four appearance.