When Kamilla Cardoso left for the WNBA in 2024, South Carolina knew they’d need someone to step up. They didn’t expect how completely Chloe Kitts would transform into the steady heartbeat this championship program desperately needed. With the Gamecocks rebuilding after their perfect season, Kitts has become more than just a player. She’s become their anchor.
How Will Chloe Kitts Fill the Leadership Void Left by Key Departures?
As the South Carolina Gamecocks prepare for the 2025-26 season, Kitts has become a central figure in Dawn Staley’s efforts to guide the program through its most substantial roster overhaul in recent memory.
The Gamecocks are in transition following the departure of key players, including Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, Sania Feagin, and MiLaysia Fulwiley. Yet, amid the shifting pieces, Kitts has established herself as a reliable anchor on both ends of the floor.
Kitts averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds during the 2024-25 season, setting career highs and solidifying her role as a key contributor. She returns for her third consecutive season as a starter and is widely expected to be a high 2026 WNBA Draft selection.
According to “The Prime Field,” her performance in 2024-25, which included a triple-double, showcased her “versatility and basketball IQ.” Her production and consistency have made her invaluable to a roster searching for continuity after major changes.
“Kitts brings the kind of steady production that championship teams require. Tessa Johnson enters her junior year to assume a larger role. Her experience within Staley System and her understanding of team concepts make her a logical candidate for increased responsibilities.”
However, building around these returners means addressing the substantial gaps left by departing players who brought unique skill sets to the program.
What Specific Skills Did South Carolina Lose This Offseason?
The Gamecocks lost not only players, but also specific skill sets that defined their championship-level success. Paopao’s three-point shooting and floor spacing, Hall’s defensive presence, and Fulwiley’s dynamic scoring all leave gaps that need to be addressed.
“These departures represent more than just individual players leaving,” noted The Prime Field. “They represent the loss of specific skill sets, experience, and established chemistry within Staley’s system.”
Despite those losses, Kitts remains a stabilizing force. Her maturity and court awareness allow Staley flexibility in how she constructs the frontcourt moving forward.
With players like Joyce Edwards, who led the team in scoring as a freshman and earned first-team All-SEC honors, and elite newcomers like Ta’Niya Latson, who averaged 25.2 points per game at Florida State, Kitts’ role becomes even more crucial.
She bridges the returners’ experience with the potential of the incoming talent. Staley’s system thrives on balance and adaptability, and Kitts provides both.
“Staley has shown a preference for three-guard, two-forward lineups, but she’s also demonstrated the flexibility to adjust based on available personnel,” the analysis explained.
In nearly every projected lineup scenario, Kitts appears as a constant presence, underscoring her value. Her return gives South Carolina a foundation for its next championship run.
Whether playing alongside Edwards and Latson in a veteran-heavy lineup or adjusting to include size with newcomer Madina Okot, Kitts’ presence remains central. As questions around the starting five persist, her consistency offers clarity. In a period defined by roster fluidity, Chloe Kitts stands out as South Carolina’s cornerstone.
