Chloe Kitts: From Injury to Leadership

0:00On March 25, South Carolina women's basketball star, Chloe Kits, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during an October practice, ending her. Senior season before it began. The forward, who had racked up hundreds of rebounds in her career, needed surgery and now faces months of rehab. This setback hit just before the 2025-26 campaign, but Kits has stayed positive from the start. Her recovery has gone faster than expected, with coaches sometimes holding her back to avoid rushing. She celebrated small wins, like ditching crutches, biking again, and recently getting cleared to run. Kits also packed on needed muscle weight, hitting a personal best six months in, thanks to her drive and support from trainers. From the bench, Kits has stepped up as a vocal leader during the regular season, and the team's March madness push. Team mates in coach Don Staley praised her player-to-player advice, which helps Biggs and others sharpen their game. It's a new role for someone who started most of her 93 college games.

1:01Kits weighed her options after the injury, including the 2026 WNBA draft, where she was seen as a first-round prospect. But with league uncertainties, she chose to return for a redshirt senior year in 2026-27, staying in the GameCock system, too. Get bigger and stronger. This bump has made her a better teammate and person, she says, building leadership skills while her knee heals. With South Carolina still chasing titles, Kits is right there, ready to rejoin the court stronger than ever.