In a heartbreaking turn of events, South Carolina’s star forward, Chloe Kitts, has revealed she’ll be sidelined for the entire 2025 season due to a devastating torn ACL. But here’s where it gets even more emotional: this isn’t just a loss for the team—it’s a personal setback for a player who was poised to dominate the court and potentially secure a high pick in next year’s WNBA draft. And this is the part most people miss—injuries like these don’t just impact the athlete’s career; they test their resilience, faith, and ability to lead from the shadows.
Chloe Kitts, a senior and two-year starter for the Gamecocks, shared the news on social media (https://x.com/chloe1kitts/status/1977696352051048618), expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support. ‘Thank you for everyone who has reached out with love and support,’ she wrote. ‘I recently suffered a torn ACL and, unfortunately, will be out for the season. While this isn’t how I hoped my season would go, I’m trusting God’s timing and purpose. I’ll continue to lead, support, and push my teammates from the sidelines. We have big things ahead!’ Her injury occurred during a routine team practice, according to a program spokesperson, and she’s scheduled for surgery this week.
Here’s where it gets controversial: With Kitts out, the Gamecocks are left scrambling to fill the void of a player who averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season—not to mention her role as last year’s Southeastern Conference Tournament MVP and NCAA Binghamton Regionals MVP. Coach Dawn Staley acknowledged the challenge, saying, ‘We hate this first for Chloe, who has worked incredibly hard… Her teammates are capable of stepping up, and I know that her competitive fire and tenacity will be felt from the sidelines.’ But will it be enough? Some fans are already questioning whether the team can maintain its momentum without her.
This isn’t the first major setback for South Carolina’s women’s basketball program this year. Earlier, Ashlyn Watkins, who tore her ACL in January (https://apnews.com/article/south-carolina-ashlyn-watkins-knee-f3a2e9658e7ef9543fd18d7986d91c30), announced she was taking a full year off from school and basketball. And this raises a bigger question: Are these recurring injuries a sign of deeper issues within the program, or just an unfortunate coincidence? Let’s discuss in the comments—do you think the team can bounce back, or is this season already a lost cause?
For now, all eyes are on how the Gamecocks adapt. Will they rise to the challenge, or will this be a season defined by what could have been? Stay tuned for updates on the AP Top 25 and women’s college basketball (https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll, https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball), and don’t forget to sign up for poll alerts here (https://www.apnews.com/newsletters).
