April 5, 2026, 1:07 p.m. ET
South Carolina women’s basketball is making its third straight look in an NCAA Tournament championship recreation.
The No. 1 seed Gamecocks (36-3) play No. 1 seed UCLA (36-1) within the title recreation on April 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC) in Phoenix.
South Carolina will play on this 12 months’s championship recreation with out Chloe Kitts, who performed a key function in its final two NCAA Tournament runs.
Why is not Chloe Kitts taking part in in NCAA championship recreation?
Chloe is just not taking part in as a result of she is recovering from a torn ACL in her proper knee. South Carolina introduced in October that Kitts would miss the whole 2025-26 season.
Chloe Kitts profession stats
Last season, Kitts began 38 video games for the Gamecocks, averaging 10.2 factors and seven.7 rebounds. She received SEC Tournament MVP and was an All-America honorable point out by the Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association in 2025.
Kitts was an early enrollee her freshman season and joined the crew halfway via the 2022-23 season. She is listed as a senior on this 12 months’s roster.
Is Chloe Kitts taking part in for South Carolina in 2026-27?
Coach Dawn Staley confirmed in February that Kitts will return to South Carolina for the 2026-27 season.
Who has performed in Chloe Kitts’ absence?
With Kitts out this season, South Carolina has gotten contributions from Mississippi State switch Madina Okot, freshman early enrollee Alicia Tournebize and returners Adhel Tac and Maryam Dauda within the put up.
Okot has began 32 video games for the Gamecocks and averages 13.5 factors and 10.9 rebounds per recreation, main the SEC. She was picked to the All-SEC second crew and is a prime 5 finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award given to the nation’s finest heart.
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports activities for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and observe her on X @tiareid65.
