As a South Carolina fan, if you expected the worst, you were right. Just last week, Gamecocks star Chloe Kitts was spotted attending South Carolina’s home volleyball game against Georgia while in crutches and a leg brace. At the time, there was no information on what the injury was about or if it was just a precaution for a potential injury. Speculations grew on what the situation was regarding Kitts. The potential 2026 WNBA first-round pick’s future lay in the dark, but no more. Kitts has announced that she will miss the entire 2025-26 season through an injury. Let’s explore the nature of her injury, and by when can we expect Kitts back on the court, along with the impact on Dawn Staley’s 2025-26 plans.

What Caused Chloe Kitts to Miss the 2025–26 Season?

“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. 

It’s unclear when Kitts injured herself, as the last time local media saw Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks practice was on September 22, their first official day of preseason practices, and Kitts was up and running then. The injury seems to have taken place sometime between then and October 5th in practice. She is expected to have surgery this week. 

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.”

Her 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, who has pulled out of the upcoming season, too, 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.  They finished as the 15th-best rebounding team last year, where they went 35-4 and all the way to the NCAA tournament finals. We can expect a drop in the boards, and it will be up to Dawn Staley 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.