Chloe Kitts has been ruled out for the season since September when she tore her ACL. Even though she isn’t lacing up for the Gamecocks this season, Kitts has been with the team throughout this journey.
She was supporting her teammates when the Gamecocks took on the USC Trojans in the second round of the NCAA Tournament today. The Gamecocks dominated the game from the beginning, taking a 51-21 lead at halftime.
In the second half, they added another 50 points to the scoreboard and made it a blowout 101-61 win. Joyce Edwards led the team in scoring with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Madina Okot also registered a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Kitts was seen wearing a t-shirt with her teammate, Tessa Johnson’s face and “Who can guard Tessa?” printed on it. The quote is a rhetorical question that became popular earlier in this season.
During the Gamecocks February 14 matchup against the LSU Tigers, Kim Mulkey was heard screaming, “Who can guard Tessa?” to her bench during a timeout. Johnson dropped 21 points in that game and helped secure a 79-72 win.
Since then, Mulkey’s question has become popular among South Carolina fans. Kitts wearing the t-shirt, which is also available on the Athletes Thread website, shows the kind of trust the Gamecocks have in Johnson’s ability to dominate games.
Head coach Dawn Staley has always said that Johnson is one of the most valuable players on the team.
“Tessa is our rock,” she said early in the season. “She is the person that is not pressing but she’s confident in her ability to go get a bucket when she wants to get a bucket. She’s just taking what the defense gives her.”
Tonight, Johnson had 10 points, two rebounds, four assists, and two steals against the USC Trojans.
Dawn Staley on Chloe Kitts’ Possible Return
When Kitts got injured in September, fans thought that it might be the end of her run with South Carolina. The star forward has a long career ahead in the WNBA and was expected to go for the draft this year.
However, in February 2026, Staley said that Kitts will be back with the Gamecocks next season.
“Chloe will come back next year,” Staley said. “I think she said that on Instagram. Right? Well, as far as I know (she’s coming back). Transfer portal isn’t open yet.”
The Gamecocks have now advanced to the Sweet 16 round, where they will face the Oklahoma Sooners.
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