Just last week, Gamecocks star Chloe Kitts was seen at South Carolina’s home volleyball match against Georgia on crutches and wearing a leg brace. At the time, details about the injury were scarce, leaving fans to speculate whether it was precautionary or something more serious. The potential 2026 WNBA first-round pick’s future was uncertain so far, but no more.

Kitts has officially announced that she will miss the entire 2025-26 season because of injury. Here’s a closer look at the nature of her injury, her expected return, and the impact on Dawn Staley’s plans for the upcoming season.

What caused Chloe Kitts to miss the 2025–26 season?

It’s unclear exactly when Chloe Kitts sustained her injury. The last time local media observed Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks practice was on September 22, the team’s first official day of preseason workouts, and Kitts was fully participating. The injury appears to have occurred sometime between then and October 5 during practice. She is expected to undergo surgery this week.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and support. I recently suffered an ACL tear and, unfortunately, will be out for this season. While this isn’t how I hoped my senior season would go, I’m trusting God’s timing and purpose. I’ll continue to lead, support, and push my team from the sidelines. We have big things ahead!” Kitts wrote in her announcement, but that still leaves a few unanswered questions. 

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How will Chloe Kitts’ absence impact South Carolina’s 2025–26 campaign?

The injury is unfortunate timing for South Carolina and Kitts. She is coming off a campaign that showcased clear growth. Last year, she averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds (team high) while earning All-American honorable mention honors. Kitts came up clutch in the postseason, being named MVP of both the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Birmingham 2 Regional. 

“We hate this first for Chloe, who has worked incredibly hard to become the best version of herself on the court this season,” Dawn Staley said in the program’s release. “Her teammates are capable of stepping up, and I know her competitive fire and tenacity will be felt from the sidelines as she pours what she can into them to ensure our team’s success.”

Kitts’ two-way presence and leadership on the court were essential in their twin championship game finishes. Staley has already lost Ashlyn Watkins to a torn ACL in January. Watkins, too, has pulled out of the upcoming season, bringing South Carolina down to 10 players. Their post-play is looking dicey with Kitts’ absence.

Thin rotations mean Staley would be forced to trust frontcourt players Madina Okot, Adhel Tac, and Maryam Dauda alongside returning breakout freshman Joyce Edwards to take a bigger role. Even ESPN’s prediction of the upcoming season gave Kitts and Watkins as key contributors, but sadly, with both of them out, Staley needs to find a way around this potential weakness. 

What is Chloe Kitts’ expected recovery timeline?

An ACL injury is one of the worst any athlete can suffer, but it’s accentuated for women. Research shows that female athletes have a higher incidence of ACL tears. They also experience more difficulty returning to their prior level. Studies find women tend to have greater knee extensor strength deficits, higher injury-related stress, lower confidence in their knee after surgery, and a higher risk for re-rupture or complications after reconstruction. 

The typical return timeline is considered to be 8-12 months after the surgery. Kitts was expected to be a WNBA first-round pick next year. It is unclear whether Kitts will medical redshirt or enter the big leagues regardless. Fans are hoping for a strong return for Kitts. South Carolina begins their season later this month with an exhibition at home against Anderson on October 24.