South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley aired out her feeling regarding key junior Chloe Kitts missing the team’s game on Sunday against No. 9 North Carolina State

No. 1 South Carolina was without talented junior forward Chloe Fitts due to an “academic policy issue” in Sunday’s impressive 71-57 win over No. 9 NC State.

She starred in the defending NCAA women’s basketball champions’s opening game against Michigan, scoring 19 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a narrow victory. Head coach Dawn Staley clarified Fitts’ omission from the team in a statement released on social media just minutes before Sunday’s tip-off.

“We’re disappointed that Chloe has to sit out the game today due to an academic policy issue,” the South Carolina coach said in the statement. “Chloe has shown tremendous growth both academically and athletically over the offseason, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in every aspect.”

“While she’s unable to play today, we’re incredibly proud of her progress.”

Staley confirmed in her postgame press conference that Kitts would miss just one game and will return for South Carolina’s matchup against Coppin State on Thursday.

The junior from Oviedo, Florida, was a key part of the Gamecocks’ 2024 championship rotation. She averaged 9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 18.6 last year while knocking down 50% of her three-pointers.

The 20-year-old is expected to shoulder a heavier load in 2024-25 following the departure of star Kamilla Cardoso. She’s a former five-star recruit ranked 17th in the ESPNW class of 2023.

Despite Fitts’s strong play in the team’s first win, Staley was still critical of her showing. “I think every single player fell short of how they really wanted to play, even Chloe [Kitts],” she said. “Chloe had a double-double, but she took some ill-advised shots. We’re just not that type of team, and they’ve taken responsibility.”

Others shouldered a heavier load for South Carolina in her absence. Senior Te-Hina Paopao scored a career-high 23 points on 10-for-16 shooting as she looks to improve her up-and-coming offensive game.

MiLaysia Fulwiley added 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting off the bench. The sophomore guard was the team’s leading returning scorer from last season by continues to come off the bench for South Carolina.

Star freshman Joyce Edwards has yet to break out. She scored eight points on 3-for-9 shooting but stuffed the box score with five rebounds and four steals in the win.

Junior forward Ashlyn Watkins was expected to improve upon her strong 2023-24 campaign after averaging 9.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks for the national champions.

However, Watkins was arrested on August 31 with charges of kidnapping and assault. She was subsequently suspended from team activities but made her season debut on Sunday, scoring six points in 19 minutes.