South Carolina Gamecocks’ Forward Chloe Kitts Is Back in the Lab, Ready to Elevate Her Game to the Next Level

There’s no such thing as an offseason when you’re built for greatness—and South Carolina forward Chloe Kitts is a prime example. After a year of personal growth, championship experiences, and navigating the rollercoaster ride of elite college basketball, Kitts is back in the lab this summer—focused, locked in, and preparing to become a dominant force for the Gamecocks in the 2025-26 season.

It’s easy to forget that Kitts, a 6-foot-2 forward with a silky shooting touch and a growing arsenal of post moves, is still in the early stages of her college career. But with each game she’s played in Dawn Staley’s system, it’s become more and more evident that Kitts is the future. This offseason, her return to the gym isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart, sharpening every aspect of her game to help lead South Carolina back to the promised land.

Kitts arrived in Columbia ahead of schedule, reclassifying and enrolling early during the 2022-23 season. It was a bold decision, but one that set the tone for her work ethic. Instead of waiting for the comfort of a summer transition, she jumped into a powerhouse program midseason, gaining firsthand experience in the demanding and disciplined world of Gamecock basketball. That experience paid dividends. While she wasn’t an immediate starter, Kitts soaked up knowledge from veterans and found ways to contribute, learning from legends like Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso while carving out her own path.

Fast forward to 2025, and Chloe Kitts is no longer the understudy. She’s become a reliable weapon for the Gamecocks, known for her hustle, energy, and ability to stretch the floor. But what’s most exciting is that she’s just getting started. Her return to the lab isn’t just about improving—it’s about making a statement.

Videos and photos surfacing from offseason workouts show Kitts putting in serious work—getting stronger, quicker, and more confident. She’s running through individual skill sessions, hitting jumpers from midrange and beyond the arc, working on her footwork in the paint, and grinding through defensive drills. There’s a sense of hunger in her body language. A fire. An understanding that this is her time to step up and be a cornerstone of a championship-contending roster.

Kitts’ development isn’t happening in a vacuum. She’s training alongside some of the best talent in the country, many of whom also wear garnet and black. Iron sharpens iron, and in a program like South Carolina’s, improvement is a collective pursuit. Whether it’s battling teammates in practice or pushing through solo reps late at night, Kitts is surrounded by a culture that demands and fosters greatness.

Coach Dawn Staley has always been vocal about her belief in Kitts. She’s praised her versatility and potential, highlighting her willingness to absorb information and her eagerness to grow. Now that the team’s veteran leadership has transitioned, the stage is set for players like Kitts to rise—not just as athletes, but as leaders.

What makes Kitts’ offseason work particularly important is the evolving nature of the college game. Positionless basketball is more prominent than ever, and Kitts fits the mold of a modern hybrid forward. Her shooting range forces defenders to respect her on the perimeter, but she can also attack off the dribble and finish through contact inside. That duality is deadly. Her focus this summer is on becoming more consistent with her jumper, increasing her strength for post play, and improving lateral quickness for defensive matchups. The goal? To be unguardable.

Kitts’ progression also speaks to the long-term vision of the South Carolina program. Coach Staley recruits players who are committed not only to winning but to the process of becoming elite. With the transfer portal and NIL landscape reshaping college basketball, consistency and development from within have become more crucial than ever. Kitts is a homegrown star in that regard—loyal, driven, and fully invested in the Gamecocks’ legacy.

The impact of her summer training won’t just be felt on the stat sheet. Teammates notice when someone sets the tone. Younger players will look to Kitts to model intensity, focus, and accountability. Her leadership, even if it’s quiet and by example, is vital. South Carolina has championship expectations every season, and this year is no different. With heavyweights like LSU, UConn, and Iowa always lurking, the margins are razor-thin. For the Gamecocks to reclaim their throne, players like Kitts must emerge from the shadows and into the spotlight.

Of course, the weight of expectation is nothing new for Chloe Kitts. As a highly-touted high school recruit, she was used to the spotlight. But being part of the South Carolina machine adds a different kind of pressure—a good pressure. Every practice is a tryout. Every possession is a test. And for Kitts, every moment this offseason is an opportunity.

She’s not working to prove doubters wrong; she’s working to prove herself right. To fulfill the promise she showed as a teenager making a bold jump to college basketball early. To become a dominant two-way threat and a matchup nightmare. To write her own chapter in a program already full of legends.

South Carolina fans are already buzzing with anticipation. The departure of stars like Cardoso and Te-Hina Paopao leaves a vacuum—but also a chance. Kitts is one of several players poised to step into that void and take command. With her size, skill, and mindset, she’s uniquely equipped to do just that.

As summer fades and the season draws closer, the work Chloe Kitts is putting in now will be the foundation of whatever comes next. Every rep matters. Every drill is a brick in the wall she’s building—toward excellence, toward leadership, toward legacy.

Chloe Kitts is back in the lab. And if the early signs are any indication, the rest of college basketball should be on high alert. Because when dedication meets opportunity, greatness tends to follow. And Kitts is preparing not just to contribute, but to dominate. Her journey is far from over—but it’s already one worth watching.