South Carolina womens basketball phenom Chloe Kitts didnt take long to prove head coach Dawn Staleys bold declaration right.
On Monday, No. 1 seed South Carolina narrowly avoided a colossal upset to Michigan, defeating the Wolverines 68-62 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Kitts was integral in the Gamecocks win, leading the team in both points (19) and rebounds (14) in 14 minutes played.
The strong performance should come as no surprise, considering the high praise that Kitts received from Staley in the leadup to the 2024-25 campaign. Last month, the 54-year-old informed reporters that the star forward was already in midseason form and ready to assume a larger role this year.
One day later, Kitts shined in an exhibition game versus Memphis, recording 15 points and 13 rebounds in a 106-63 win. When asked earlier this week what shes improved on the most over the offseason, the 20-year-old replied: Confidence.
My team, my coaches help with that and my body, last year I was falling every possession.
After graduating early from high school, Kitts failed to make a sizable impact her freshman year, averaging only 1.6 points over 18 games. But her sophomore season bore better results, as she averaged 9.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists while starting in 31 of 37 games.
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Chloe Kitts shined in South Carolinas season-opening win over Michigan (Image:
Getty Images)
If the Gamecocks are to replicate their success from last years undefeated season, Kitts will need to continue to carry the load without the help of several star teammates in particular Kamilla Cardoso. Following a dominant 2023-24 campaign, the Brazilian entered her name in the 2024 WNBA Draft, in which she was selected by the Chicago Sky with the No. 3 overall pick.
Speaking to members of the media on the heels of Mondays win, Kitts conceded that Cardosos absence was noticeable on the court. Its a really big difference, she said. Ive never played with someone like Kamilla. It was awesome playing with her.
That presence is missing. I mean, she grabbed boards for us. She put up all of those points for us.
Kitts is confident, however, that the Gamecocks will be just fine without Cardoso. We just need to come together, she added. All of our posts are different on our team, and we just need to show what we can do. Everybody needs to come and play every game and well be fine.
Staley expressed a similar sentiment, stating: Obviously weve got some players that have to make adjustments to certain roles on our basketball team, and that takes a little bit of time.
I saw a little bit of a lack of experience, even for our experienced players. Its different roles for them [but] youve gotta perform. Weve gotta know what were getting from our starters.
