South Carolina women's basketball star Chloe Kitts out for March Madness

Gamecocks advance to Elite Eight without injured star player

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:24pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented women's basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the loss of a key player and the team's need to adapt their strategy.The South Carolina Gamecocks must adapt their game plan without star player Chloe Kitts, whose season-ending injury has fractured their championship hopes.Today in Sacramento

The top-seeded South Carolina women's basketball team is preparing for the Elite Eight without star player Chloe Kitts, who suffered a season-ending injury during the Sweet 16 matchup against Oklahoma. The Gamecocks defeated the Sooners 94-68 to advance to the next round, where they will face TCU.

Why it matters

Kitts' absence is a major blow for the Gamecocks, who were favored to win the national championship. Her leadership and scoring ability have been crucial to the team's success this season. South Carolina will need to find a way to overcome her loss as they continue their quest for a national title.

The details

Chloe Kitts, a junior forward and the team's second-leading scorer, suffered a knee injury in the first half of the Sweet 16 game against Oklahoma. She had to be helped off the court and did not return to the game. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley confirmed after the game that Kitts' injury is season-ending.

  • The injury occurred during the Sweet 16 matchup against Oklahoma on March 27, 2026.
  • South Carolina defeated Oklahoma 94-68 to advance to the Elite Eight on March 30, 2026.

The players

Chloe Kitts

A junior forward and the second-leading scorer for the South Carolina women's basketball team.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina women's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“Chloe's injury is a huge loss for our team, but we're going to rally around each other and find a way to keep our season going.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Women's Basketball

What’s next

South Carolina will face TCU in the Elite Eight on March 30, 2026, with the winner advancing to the Final Four.

The takeaway

The loss of Chloe Kitts is a major setback for the South Carolina women's basketball team, but they have proven their resilience throughout the season and will need to find a way to overcome this challenge if they want to win the national championship.