South Carolina's Dawn Staley Admits Chloe Kitts Was 'Considered Dead' After ACL Injury

Gamecocks coach was brutally honest about losing star player for the season.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:40am

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South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley was extremely candid about the team's approach to losing star player Chloe Kitts for the entire season after she suffered an ACL injury in October. Staley admitted they 'considered her dead' and did not bring up her name during game preparation, as the team had to rely on other players to step up in her absence.

Why it matters

Kitts was a key contributor for the Gamecocks last season, averaging a double-double, and her absence was felt as they fell short in the national championship game against UCLA. Staley's comments shed light on how teams cope with major injuries and the mental approach required to move forward without a star player.

The details

Staley was honest in defeat after South Carolina's 79-51 loss to UCLA in the national title game, acknowledging that the Bruins outworked the Gamecocks and were the better team. She lamented South Carolina's lack of execution without Kitts, who missed the entire season after suffering an ACL injury in October. Kitts was one of the Gamecocks' top options last year, averaging 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds.

  • Kitts suffered the ACL injury in October 2025.
  • South Carolina lost to UCLA 79-51 in the national championship game on April 6, 2026.

The players

Dawn Staley

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

Chloe Kitts

A 21-year-old forward for the South Carolina Gamecocks who missed the entire 2025-26 season due to an ACL injury.

Joyce Edwards

A player who stepped up for the Gamecocks in Kitts' absence.

Tessa Johnson

A player who was named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team for South Carolina.

Ta'Niya Latson

A player who was named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team for South Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“When we knew we weren't going to have Chloe Kitts, we considered her dead. We don't bring it up. She can't help us. She's not a part of our team in terms of preparation and being on the floor.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks

What’s next

Staley has confirmed that Kitts will return next year for her fourth season, which is good news for the Gamecocks as they look to make another run at the national title.

The takeaway

Staley's brutally honest comments about 'considering Kitts dead' after her season-ending injury highlight the mental and emotional challenges teams face when dealing with the loss of a key player. While it may seem harsh, this approach allowed the Gamecocks to move forward and rely on other players to step up, though they ultimately fell short in the championship game.