Who Is South Carolina’s #21? Everything You Need to Know About Chloe Kitts

A player who can change roles according to the team’s needs is a crucial element of the game. That’s what 19-year-old Chloe Kitts is for the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Oviedo, Florida native has continued to showcase her talents. After all, she has worked hard to reach her coveted spot. Under the guidance of South Carolina’s head coach Dawn Staley, Kitts made an interesting as well as complex decision to get an early enrollment. The player enrolled in the South Carolina program almost 6 months ahead of her recruiting class. 

With only 18 game appearances and a six-minute average in her freshman year, the journey wasn’t easy for her. While there were some doubts raised by the fans and critiques initially, she has shown her abilities in every game, and it has led fans to wonder where she gets it from. Well, it’s safe to say that basketball runs in her blood!

Who is Chloe Kitts’ father, Jason Kitts?

Jason Kitts was the spark that lit the flame. He was a hooper if there ever was one. Sure, he might not have played at the level that his daughter is, but Jason Kitts did hoop in college. He first represented Rogers High, and then went on to play for Tacoma Community College.

And when he saw his daughter take interest in the sport he loved? He didn’t let the opportunity slip from his hands. He was her first coach, and probably one of the biggest drivers behind her success. Jason taught her everything he knew, and then some. Under him, she started playing in a community basketball program in Washington state when she was five years old. Her size and athleticism automatically grouped her in with the boys instead of the girls her age.

In high school, Kitts spent her freshman year playing for The Master’s Academy in Oviedo. She led the team to win the Class 3A state title game. Following that, she joined the DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida. She displayed quite an impressive game in her junior year, averaging 18.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Her accolades include a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain, and the 2022 FIBA under-18 Women’s Americas Championship in Argentina. 

With her success in the game, the player is also witnessing a growth in her popularity. She’s one of the most important people in the Gamecocks, and it makes sense. Her dad has nothing but praise for her. In an exclusive with the Oveida-Winter Springs, Jason Kitts talked about his daughter’s trajectory going forward. “Chloe has a great work ethic, she always wants to get better. She spends hours and hours in the gym and has done that for years. She’s also extremely versatile, and skilled, and very athletic.” He said, commending her work ethic. 

We’ve talked extensively about the role Jason Kitts played in his daughter’s success, but what about Krystle Kitts? 

Who is Chloe Kitts’ mother, Krystle Kitts?

Let’s talk about Chloe Kitts’ mother. Not much is known about Krystle Kitts, as she prefers to remain lowkey. From what we do know, she’s sales director by profession, and works at Abbott and Alere Toxicology. Even though she does not have a public presence like Jason Kitts or their daughter Chloe, we can’t understate her impact on the college star’s life!

There’s no doubt that Krystle Kitts supported her daughter through thick and thin, and was part of the many big decisions that the family took, such as their shift to Florida in 2016.

What is Chloe Kitts’ family background?

To put it simply, basketball runs in her veins. We’ve talked about how her father, a six-foot-five combo guard, was a college hooper, but what about his parents and grandparents? Bev and Don Kitts are from Puyallup, and are the source of a huge and happy family! They have five kids, ten grandkids, and ten great-grandkids, and Chloe Kitts is one of them.

Chloe’s grandfather Ron also played basketball in high school, he helped Puyallup High win a state championship in 1971. So when we say that hooping is in her blood, we mean it! The six-foot-two forward has averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds this season. Enthralling right? Kitts has shown unprecedented improvement in her game over the last year, and was a big factor in the Gamecocks’ championship victory against Caitlin Clark and her Hawkeyes.

The 19-year-old was phenomenal as she achieved an 11 point double-double in just 17 minutes! Her defensive efforts helped deny Caitlin Clark the fairytale ending that Iowa fans were hoping for, and she’ll play a huge role in the 2024-25 March Madness as well.

From being judged for her decision of early enrollment to being one of the best on the team, she has come a long way. With the skills and potential she has shown so far in her game, the five-star recruit is certainly one of the most promising players in the college basketball scene.

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