Chloe Kitts’ Dad Finds an Unexpected Bright Side of the South Carolina Star’s ACL Setback
South Carolina forward Chloe Kitts was poised for a breakout season before tearing her ACL in October, ending her senior season just before it started. Kitts was named the SEC Tournament MVP after helping the Gamecocks to clinch their third consecutive title, and she led the team to the national championship game for a second consecutive season.
After her injury, Kitts took on the mantle of mentoring the inexperienced Gamecocks team as she undergoes her rehabilitation in Columbia.
Chloe Kitts’ Father Finds Silver Lining in Her ACL Injury
During Thursday’s segment of the “South Carolina Sideline” podcast, Jason Kitts, the forward’s father, found a silver lining to her season-ending injury.
“The patience of what it is and how to go about it. And really just another instance of struggle and adversity,” Jason Kitts said. “Our kids work really hard and we push them and we challenge them, but life hasn’t been hard for them. They’re fortunate that they’re in a circle of people, they don’t see the struggle, it’s behind the scenes.
“They keep working hard and good things will come, that’s what we always talk about. For her to go through this and to make the decision that she has to go through rehab and spend this whole year at South Carolina and impact and help her team. The leader that she’s become is the biggest plus out of all of this. I see it and I hear it.”
Kitts averaged 10.2 points on 52% shooting from the floor and 33.3% shooting from beyond the arc, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists for the Gamecocks last season.
South Carolina Coping With Kitts’ Absence
Despite losing the influential Kitts, the No. 3 Gamecocks have not lost a beat and have a remarkable 16-1 record this season, on the back of impressive performances by forward Joyce Edwards.
During the SEC Media availability, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley was defiant about her roster’s preparedness to confront the season without Kitts.
“It’s not like we’re going to ask somebody to be Chloe because that’s impossible,” Staley said. “But we’re unafraid to go into the season without Chloe. We’re not going to skip a beat. Our players know that anytime we sustain any kind of injury, we believe in the system we’ve put together.”
Kitts’ absence this season left the Gamecocks light, especially after fellow forward Ashlyn Watkins announced that she was taking the year off. Staley responded by adding talented French forward Alicia Tournebize to her roster on Jan. 1.
