Dawn Staley and her South Carolina Gamecocks entered this season with one thing on their minds: revenge. Last year’s national championship was a gut punch. A 23-point blowout at the hands of UConn was the first championship defeat of Staley’s coaching career. All offseason, the vibe around Columbia was to get back to the final. But just as the team was gearing up to right that wrong, a curveball came their way. Their key player, Chloe Kitts, was suddenly ruled out.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and support,” Kitts had written on social media to announce the tragic news that she had torn her ACL. “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!”

But if you listen to what Dawn Staley had to say about the forward recently, there’s still reason to stay hopeful. In an interview on Carolina Calls, the head coach dropped a positive update on Chloe Kitts:

“She had a surgery. She’s well into her rehab and she probably is walking around better than I can. That’s Chloe for you in a nutshell.”

Now, just to be clear, we’re not saying Chloe Kitts is about to make a surprise return this season. But Staley’s update does give us something to hold onto. Kitts might be healthy just in time for the WNBA season, or even the start of another year in college if she decides to stay; that alone is huge news. The seasoned college star is already projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.

Before South Carolina tipped off its season against Grand Canyon, there was a special moment on the court. Every returning Gamecock player, along with Coach Dawn Staley and GCU head coach Winston Gandy, received championship rings to honor last year’s incredible run. But the real surprise? Chloe Kitts.

Just a week earlier, Kitts had been spotted on crutches during a South Carolina practice game. So when she walked out without them to accept her ring, it was a sign of progress. And that is what coach Staley highlights in her interview as well.

Chloe Kitts has been nothing short of a pillar for South Carolina. A starter in each of the last two seasons, she played a massive role in the Gamecocks’ 2024 national championship run. Just last year, she started all 38 games, averaging 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, and capped it off by being named MVP of the SEC Tournament.

This season was supposed to be her last dance in Columbia. Now with the injury, her next step is a mystery. Will she return for one more run? Or will she make the jump to the pros? We know for a fact that the WNBA will have no shortage of teams knocking on her door. But what about the Gamecocks?

Who will replace Chloe Kitts?

“It’s not like we’re going to ask someone to be Chloe because that’s impossible,” Staley said at the SEC media day. “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 that we put together. We believe in the players we’ve assembled.”

With Chloe Kitts injured and Ashlyn Watkins unavailable, the Gamecocks opened the season with just 11 players, a much smaller roster than we’re used to seeing from a Dawn Staley team. And in that very first game, we got a real glimpse of what the future might look like without Kitts in the lineup.

Staley wasted no time adjusting.

Midway through the first game, Staley shifted to a four-guard lineup, Madina Okot holding down the paint, surrounded by Raven Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson, Tessa Johnson, and Agot Makeer. With Kitts and Watkins out, the frontcourt depth just isn’t there. So, this guard-heavy look might be the Gamecocks’ new identity.

But will that be enough to take down heavyweights come the big dance?

Up next, the No. 2 Gamecocks will remain in Columbia to face Bowling Green Falcons in Colonial Life Arena on November 7 at 7 pm.