Chloe Kitts’ Rise: From Frustrated Freshman to South Carolina Star

Chloe Kitts played a pivotal role in South Carolina’s run to the 2024 national championship game, where the Gamecocks ultimately fell to the UConn Huskies. Her elevated minutes and growing impact were instrumental in the team’s SEC Tournament title and deep postseason push.

After limited opportunities early in her college career, Kitts saw her role expand significantly. The forward went from averaging just 6.9 minutes per game as a freshman in the 2022–23 season to 18.6 minutes in her sophomore year, and then to 22.4 minutes this past season.

During a recent episode of The Coop podcast, Kitts’ father, Jason Kitts, opened up about her early struggles with limited playing time.

“The biggest part was Chloe just needed to struggle,” he said. “She’s never struggled, like most of the kids that are around these programs. You know, everybody tells them how great they are for so long, and so it was good for her to be able to come and sit. She had to sit, right?”

Jason explained that Chloe had to learn patience behind experienced, pro-level talent.

“She had to sit behind bona fide pros, and she had to learn. And she was not happy, and she was pissed, and she just couldn’t handle it,” he said. “But now you look at it, and it was part of the process. She didn’t realize it then, but I think now as she continues to evolve from a mental state of things, now I think she knows why we did it.”

Kitts turned the corner this past season, averaging 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Her development did not go unnoticed by head coach Dawn Staley.

After a December victory over No. 8 Duke, Staley shared her thoughts on Kitts’ growth and mindset:

“Chloe Kitts wants it bad, you know. Sometimes it works for her, and sometimes against her,” Staley said. “Basically yesterday… she’s telling me I don’t believe in her. Like, where did you get that from?”

Staley noted a stretch over Thanksgiving where Kitts’ minutes dropped due to poor shot selection:

“She did take some bad shots over Thanksgiving, and I took her out because of it,” Staley added.

Still, the coach praised Kitts for her dedication and professional mindset.

“I’m happy because Chloe pours into herself. She does all the right things in regards to prepping herself… making lifestyle changes, in order for her to play this way,” Staley said. “She wants to be a pro, so she’s active in doing things and creating habits that will help her.”

With teammates like freshman sensation Joyce Edwards, Kitts is poised to be one of South Carolina’s key leaders as they aim to reclaim the national title in 2025.