Staley traveled to Birmingham with sophomore forward Joyce Edwards, senior guard Ta’Niya Latson and Kitts’ media day replacement, junior guard Tessa Johnson. Your job this season?
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“I really need them to be themselves. Chloe is irreplaceable because of what she brings so tangibly and intangiblely,” Staley said Tuesday. “Every player on our roster, with the exception of our two transfers and our rookie, knows what it’s about.”
With or without Kitts, the Gamecocks were already facing a major turnover this year. Six letterwinners departed in the offseason, three of them starters who were selected in the 2025 WNBA draft.
The team is well prepared and welcomes two top freshmen, Agot Makker and Ayla McDowell. Staley reached out to the transfer portal and landed Florida State’s Latson, the NCAA’s leading scorer at 25.2 per game a year ago, and Mississippi State’s Madina Okot, the SEC’s leader last season in shooting percentage.
That’s not to say Staley doesn’t have confidence in his returning players.
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“Maryam (Dauda) is playing extremely well,” Staley said. “Adhel (Tac) is playing much better. Joyce is Joyce. Joyce will probably take the brunt because she has more playing experience with us.”
The Gamecocks finished the 2024-2025 season with a 35-4 record and an 82-59 loss to UConn in the NCAA championship game. Edwards led the team in points (494), averaging 12.7 points per game, the second most by a freshman in program history.
Edwards may take the brunt, but he understands that the responsibility of replacing an irreplaceable player falls on everyone.
“This puts more pressure on the team,” Edwards said. “She brings something that everyone will have to bring individually. So, as a team, you have to collectively come together and fill the void that she normally fills.”
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Even without Kitts, the 2025 SEC Tournament MVP, Staley insists his team will show no signs of weakness.
“We’re not afraid to start the season without Chloe,” Staley said. “You won’t see us miss a beat. Our players know that every time we suffer any type of injury, we believe in the system we create. We believe in the players we put together.”
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