People often say coaches are always tough on their players. However, that has been different for Head Coach Dawn Staley as she is renowned for her friendly approach and strong relationships with her athletes, a trait evident in her bond with WNBA star A’ja Wilson. Interestingly, though, it seems she’s got another special connection brewing as she just made a super quirky birthday shoutout for Chloe Kitts, another South Carolina star.

Kitts turned 20 on Monday and she had a warning coming along her in the form of a birthday wish. Peculiar, right? Well, coach Staley wrote on her X account, “Happy happy happy birthday @chloe1kitts! I hope your birthday is much better than your decision to go against your coach….enjoy it to the fullest because I’m going to see you sooner than later. Love you, Chloe!! :).” However, the decision Staley talked about remains between them, but the wish did hint both personalities share a close bond.

Chloe Kitts quickly showed her appreciation for her head coach’s playful warning by retweeting the post with a heartfelt message. She retweeted, “thank you love u.” The South Carolina forward played a crucial role in leading the Gamecocks to a national championship victory over Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes, marking head coach Dawn Staley’s third national title.

Chloe Kitts’ deep respect and admiration for Coach Dawn Staley shone through in an Instagram reel she posted after their NCAA title win. In the video, Kitts reflected on her journey with Staley, from being a little kid who looked up to her to becoming a champ under her guidance. It was a touching tribute to the growth and success they’ve achieved together. Let’s dive deeper into Chloe Kitts’ journey with the Gamecocks.

Chloe Kitts for South Carolina under Dawn Staley

Chloe Kitts started her college ball journey in South Carolina in late 2022. Announcing her arrival loud out, she made a pretty strong debut, scoring 10 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in an easy win against Charleston Southern. As a freshman, she didn’t see much action, averaging just 1.6 points per game.

However, her sophomore year was a whole different story. Kitts became a starter and really stepped up her game. She averaged a solid 9 points per game, shooting a sizzling 54.4% from the field. She also pulled down 5.9 rebounds and dished out 1.4 assists per game.

But it was the championship game against Iowa where she actually stole the show. In just 17 minutes, she exploded onto the scene with a double-double – 11 points and 10 rebounds! She was shooting lights out, hitting 62.5% of her shots, and even added 2 assists. Her amazing performance helped the Gamecocks finish the season with a perfect 38-0 record.

Well, Chloe Kitts’ success is not just limited to college basketball. The young talent has already earned two gold medals with the U-18 and U-19 national teams of the USA. As she turns 20, Kitts will be eager to keep her impressive streak alive in the NCAA title race under Coach Staley. Plus, she must be setting her sights on making a splash in the WNBA draft next season.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.