Chloe Kitt Shines Bright: South Carolina Gamecocks Star Crowned 2025 Naismith Player of the Year and Walks Away with $5 Million
In the world of college basketball, few achievements are as prestigious as the Naismith Player of the Year award. This honor, which is given annually to the best player in college basketball, symbolizes the pinnacle of athletic excellence and recognition. It is an award that celebrates not just talent, but the ability to inspire teammates, dominate opponents, and leave a lasting legacy in the sport. For Chloe Kitt, a rising star for the South Carolina Gamecocks, the 2025 season marked the crowning achievement of her young career as she was named the Naismith Player of the Year. But her triumph didn’t stop there. Along with the coveted title, Chloe secured a remarkable $5 million in earnings, setting a new precedent for what’s possible for student-athletes in today’s world.
A Rising Star: The Making of Chloe Kitt
Chloe Kitt’s journey to becoming the 2025 Naismith Player of the Year began long before her memorable season. Growing up in a small town in South Carolina, Kitt was introduced to basketball at an early age by her father, who was a former player. Her natural athleticism and competitive spirit were evident even as a child, but it wasn’t until her high school years that she truly began to turn heads. A standout player at her high school, Kitt’s dominance on the court quickly made her one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. She was known for her sharp shooting, defensive tenacity, and leadership skills—all qualities that would make her a perfect fit for Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks.
By the time Kitt made the decision to commit to South Carolina, she had already made a name for herself as one of the top young players in the nation. Her decision to join the Gamecocks was a strategic one, as Staley had built a powerhouse program that was regularly contending for national titles. It was clear from the moment Kitt stepped onto the court in Columbia that she was a player with immense potential, one who could help elevate the program to even greater heights.
A Season for the Ages: Chloe Kitt in 2025
The 2025 season was nothing short of extraordinary for Kitt. Coming off a solid sophomore campaign, expectations for her entering the year were sky-high. But Kitt’s performance exceeded even the most ambitious predictions. She led the Gamecocks in scoring, averaging 25.4 points per game, while also contributing 8.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest. Her all-around play was a key factor in South Carolina’s success that season, with Kitt showing the versatility and maturity that had eluded many players her age.
But what truly set Kitt apart from other players in the country was her ability to perform in clutch moments. Whether it was a game-winning shot, a critical steal, or a well-timed assist, Kitt had an uncanny ability to step up when the stakes were highest. This was most evident during the SEC Tournament, where she led the Gamecocks to a title by putting together a string of dominant performances that earned her the tournament MVP honors.
Her success didn’t stop in conference play. Kitt’s play was equally stellar in the NCAA Tournament, where she led the Gamecocks to the Final Four, delivering several highlight-worthy performances along the way. It was during this time that the college basketball world took notice of her unmatched talent. She was becoming a household name, and her potential to be the best player in the nation was undeniable.
By the time the season concluded, Chloe Kitt had compiled a resume that was too impressive to ignore. She had led the Gamecocks to a 32-2 record, with her scoring and leadership propelling them to the top of the polls. But it wasn’t just her statistics that made her special. It was her impact on the game and her ability to elevate her team, even when the odds were against them. This was what earned her the Naismith Player of the Year award.
The Naismith Player of the Year Award: A Milestone Achievement
When Chloe Kitt’s name was called as the 2025 Naismith Player of the Year, it was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and an unrelenting desire to be the best. Her achievement was a historic one, as she became the first South Carolina player to win the award in over a decade. But what made her victory even more remarkable was the way she had changed the narrative around women’s college basketball.
The Naismith Player of the Year award has traditionally been dominated by players from the powerhouse programs of the men’s game, but with Kitt’s win, the spotlight was shining brighter than ever on the women’s side of the sport. Chloe’s success helped to further highlight the growing recognition and respect that women’s basketball was earning, and it solidified her place as one of the most influential figures in the game.
For Kitt, the award was more than just an individual honor—it was a symbol of her journey from a promising young talent to one of the most elite athletes in the world. It was a recognition of her incredible skills, her work ethic, and her ability to inspire others. She had not only excelled on the court, but she had also become a role model for young girls everywhere who dreamed of following in her footsteps.
The $5 Million: The New Era of NIL
In addition to her Naismith Player of the Year award, Chloe Kitt also walked away from the 2025 season with a groundbreaking $5 million in earnings. This figure is a direct result of the new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules that have revolutionized college athletics. Under the NIL system, college athletes are now able to profit from their name, image, and likeness, opening up new opportunities for young players to capitalize on their talents in ways that were previously impossible.
For Kitt, the $5 million figure is a testament to both her talent and the growing marketability of women’s sports. She signed a number of high-profile endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Gatorade, and even an exclusive collaboration with a major streaming service. These deals were not just about Kitt’s on-court success; they were about the cultural impact she had made and the way her personality and charisma had captured the public’s imagination.
One of the key moments in Kitt’s NIL journey came when she signed a groundbreaking deal with a global tech company that had never before partnered with a college athlete. The deal, which was valued at over $2 million, allowed Kitt to showcase her personal brand while also promoting the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in sports. This partnership was seen as a significant milestone in the evolution of NIL deals, as it demonstrated that college athletes, particularly women, were now being recognized as powerful influencers with the potential to drive major commercial success.
Kitt’s rise to prominence in the NIL space reflects the shifting landscape of college sports, where athletes are no longer bound by the traditional limitations that once restricted their ability to profit from their talents. Her $5 million in earnings set a new benchmark for future generations of athletes, proving that success on the court and off it could go hand in hand.
The Impact on Women’s Sports
Chloe Kitt’s success in both the Naismith Player of the Year race and the NIL space has had a profound impact on women’s sports. As more and more female athletes like Kitt begin to dominate their respective sports, the visibility and marketability of women’s athletics are reaching new heights. Kitt’s achievements have not only raised the profile of women’s college basketball but have also helped shift the conversation around gender equality in sports.
The $5 million in earnings that Kitt secured is a game-changer, as it demonstrates the enormous potential for women’s sports to be just as commercially successful as their male counterparts. It also serves as a reminder that women athletes have long been underpaid and undervalued, and Kitt’s earnings are a step toward rectifying that imbalance. As Kitt continues to break barriers and achieve new heights, she will undoubtedly inspire countless young women to pursue their dreams in sports, knowing that success both on and off the field is within their reach.
What’s Next for Chloe Kitt?
Looking ahead, the future is incredibly bright for Chloe Kitt. While she has already achieved more than most players could dream of in their college careers, it’s clear that her journey is far from over. With the 2025-2026 season on the horizon, Kitt will undoubtedly be a top contender for another Naismith Player of the Year award, as well as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft.
Her impact on the game of basketball, however, will be felt long after she hangs up her college jersey. Kitt has become a global icon, and her influence extends far beyond the basketball court. Whether she chooses to continue playing professionally or explore other avenues, her legacy will inspire the next generation of athletes for years to come.
Chloe Kitt’s story is one of hard work, perseverance, and success. She has shattered records, broken barriers, and become a symbol of what’s possible when talent meets opportunity. As the first woman in college basketball to secure a $5 million payday and a Naismith Player of the Year award, she has proven that the sky is the limit.
