Chloe Kitts declares herself fully recovered for South Carolina
South Carolina's Chloe Kitts said she is fully healthy after recovering from a torn ACL in her right knee. Kitts added that she has been participating fully in practice and felt ready shortly after surgery, though the staff worked to keep her from overdoing it. Coach Dawn Staley praised Kitts's drive and said the team sometimes had to encourage her to rest.
Kitts shared the update at SEC Tipoff ’27 in Birmingham. Her right ACL tear happened more than a year ago. ACL recovery often takes six to 12 months, and some athletes feel lingering effects beyond that window. South Carolina’s Raven Johnson, for comparison, tore her ACL in November 2021, was cleared roughly a year later, and still needed extra time to feel fully herself.
Kitts said she has practiced fully and felt ready shortly after surgery. The staff worked to prevent her from overdoing it, even keeping her out of South Carolina’s first exhibition against College of Charleston. Coach Dawn Staley described Kitts as driven and said the team sometimes had to encourage rest.
Kitts’s return could matter most to South Carolina teammates, fans, and opponents, as her availability may strengthen the Gamecocks’ rotation and expectations. For young athletes recovering from knee injuries, her story may offer hope that patience and support can aid recovery, though individual outcomes vary. Her visibility also may keep attention on women’s college basketball and the demands of ACL rehabilitation.