South Carolina’s aspiration to secure a spot in its third consecutive NCAA National Championship final has encountered a significant setback, as the team announced it will be without one of its key players.

The Gamecocks women’s team announced on Monday that Chloe Kitts has suffered a season-ending torn ACL in her right knee. 

The forward is set to have surgery to repair the tear later this week, less than a month before South Carolina begins its season on November 3. 

The injury occurred during a recent team practice, according to a spokesperson for the program.

‘Thank you for everyone who has reached out with love and support,’ Kitts shared on X this Monday. ‘I recently suffered a torn ACL and, unfortunately, will be out for the season.’

‘While this isn’t how I hoped my season would go, I’m trusting God’s timing and purpose. I’ll continue to lead, support, and push my teammates from the sidelines. We have big things ahead!’

A two-year starter for the Gamecocks, Kitts was last year’s Southeastern Conference Tournament MVP and NCAA Binghamton Regionals MVP.

Starting 38 games last season, Kitts had an average of 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds, playing a pivotal role in leading the Gamecocks to the March Madness final, where they eventually lost to UConn, 82-59.

She was also vital during South Carolina’s 2024 national championship win, scoring an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double in merely 17 minutes of game time against Caitlin Clark and Iowa.

‘We hate this first for Chloe, who has worked incredibly hard to become the best version of herself on the court this season,’ coach Staley expressed in a statement.

‘Her teammates are capable of stepping up, and I know that 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.’

As a senior, it is unclear if Kitts intends to seek a medical redshirt and return to the Gamecocks next season. She was projected to be a high pick in next year’s WNBA draft.

South Carolina has been the heavy favorite heading into the new season, just ahead of reigning champions, UConn. 

However, the program has suffered a double blow ahead of the new campaign with the Gamecocks’ also set to be without Ashlyn Watkins. 

Watkins also tore her ACL in January and announced earlier this year that she was taking an entire year off from school and basketball.

Kitts, who boasts 269,000 followers on Instagram, went viral at the NBA Draft earlier this year when she stole the show. 

With the ninth-overall selection in the draft this year, the Toronto Raptors selected South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles.

As the cameras panned back to his table, he stood up to hug his family and his glamorous girlfriend, Kitts. 

Her NBA-bound boyfriend, Murray-Boyles averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in his final year of college.

The 6-foot-7 forward earned second-team All-SEC honors in his sophomore year and made the SEC All-Freshman Team in his first year of college.