South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley has given an update on her injury-riddled star Chloe Kitts as she detailed the possible timeline for the young talent’s return. On Wednesday, Feb. 25, collegiate hoops reporter Matt Dowell uploaded a video on his X/Twitter account that was taken from a recent media availability that Staley had.
In the clip, Staley was asked about Kitts and when she is expected come back, in correlation to recent statement the senior made on her social media account. Staley then confirmed to the media that Kitts will be returning in the 2026-27 season with the Gamecocks. Kitts has been out for the entirety of the current campaign due to a torn ACL that she suffered back in September of last year.
College basketball fans and spectators were hyped-up with the news of Kitts making a return next season as it extends her time with the Gamecocks faithful.
“That’s great news!!!! Can’t wait to see them back in uniform and on the court!!,” one fan exclaimed.
“The giants are coming yesss,” another fan said.
“Yesssssss,” another user shared.
“🤙🤙,” a fan wrote.
Other users all over X/Twitter then point out what it Kitts’ return could mean for the rest of the Gamecocks, whether or not they are teammates she’ll get to play with again or not.
“I wish Raven had one more year with them. That would have been an awesome team,” one fan claimed.
“SC will have zero drop off next year in the post, I guess that makes up for the guard spot. But I imagine McDaniel will absolutely snap in a starting role,” another fan captioned.
“Well, well, well…Big Chlo & Ash (favor IS fair),” a fan posted with a GIF.
Kitts will be entering her fourth year of collegiate hoops come the 2026-27 campaign. The Oviedo, Florida native has spent all of her tenure under the tutelage of coach Staley and the Gamecocks so far. Kitts was also a key component of the South Carolina-based program’s national championship run back in 2024.
Aside From Chloe Kitts, Ashlyn Watkins Set To Return To South Carolina Gamecocks In May 2026
Along with coach Dawn Staley confirming the return of Chloe Kitts to her South Carolina Gamecocks program come the next campaign, the tenured tactician also confirmed during her media availability that forward Ashlyn Watkins is expected to come back sometime in May of this year. Watkins decided back in July of 2025 that she will be taking some time off momentarily from playing for the Gamecocks.
Kitts and Watkins played together during the 2024-25 season. Kitts averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, while Watkins averaged 7.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in 14 games, all off the bench.
