What Chloe Kitts Told Herself at a Critical Point in South Carolina-Duke
As the South Carolina Gamecocks pushed toward another potential championship run, they faced a key matchup against the Duke Blue Devils that was poised to test their resilience. It was a high-stakes moment that could determine much about their postseason trajectory. Among the Gamecocks’ talented roster, Chloe Kitts emerged as a player who would be asked to rise to the occasion. Known for her strong presence on both ends of the floor, Kitts had already shown flashes of brilliance, but the South Carolina-Duke game was one that would demand something more from her.
At a critical juncture in the game, with the momentum teetering and the outcome still very much in doubt, Kitts took a moment to herself—a quiet moment of reflection and self-assurance. As the game’s intensity mounted, Kitts was faced with a choice: let the pressure of the moment overwhelm her or embrace it and play the role that her team needed her to. What she told herself in those precious seconds of self-talk would become a turning point, not only in that game but potentially in her development as a player in the spotlight.
This moment would resonate not just for Kitts but for the entire Gamecocks team, underscoring the mental fortitude required to succeed at the highest levels of competition. It’s a story of pressure, growth, and the internal dialogue that helped a player like Kitts excel in a moment that would define the game—and perhaps her career.
Chloe Kitts: A Player with Potential
Chloe Kitts had always been known for her raw talent and athleticism. At 6’2″, she combined length, versatility, and an ability to impact both ends of the floor, traits that made her a highly sought-after recruit. When she committed to South Carolina, it was clear she had the potential to be a future star. Still, like all players in high-stakes environments, she had moments where things didn’t come as easily, and she needed to learn how to deal with the weight of expectations.
While the South Carolina Gamecocks’ roster was loaded with experience and future WNBA talent, including stars like Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke, Kitts had to prove herself as a reliable contributor. Her versatility made her an asset—able to guard multiple positions, stretch the floor with her shooting, and contribute as a rebounder and facilitator—but her confidence and mental approach to the game were areas that still needed to be honed.
The game against Duke would test all of those aspects. The Blue Devils had a talented, disciplined squad, and their defense would make every possession a battle. This was a game that would require Kitts to show not just physical skill, but mental toughness as well.
A Game on the Line: The Critical Moment
As the South Carolina-Duke game unfolded, it became clear that neither team was going to back down easily. Both squads traded runs, with Duke’s defensive pressure keeping the Gamecocks on their toes. At one point, with less than five minutes remaining, the score was tied, and the Gamecocks were struggling to regain control of the game. The crowd at Colonial Life Arena held its breath as both teams exchanged blows, each possession becoming more critical than the last.
It was at this point that Chloe Kitts found herself in a moment of uncertainty. She had missed a couple of shots that she would typically make and had committed a turnover when the Gamecocks needed a clean possession. The weight of the game was beginning to feel palpable. Duke’s defense had intensified, and Kitts, though a gifted athlete, was still learning how to operate in such high-pressure situations.
In the huddle, Coach Dawn Staley reminded her players to stay composed, but Kitts could sense that the outcome of the game—and her own role in it—was slipping. It wasn’t that she lacked confidence in her skills; rather, the emotional gravity of the game was beginning to pull at her. This was no ordinary game—it was a potential turning point in the season, and the Gamecocks were struggling to assert themselves.
With the ball in her hands once again, Kitts found herself moving toward the basket. The clock was ticking down, and with every second, the pressure increased. In that moment, she took a brief pause in her mind. She had a decision to make: she could let the tension of the situation overwhelm her, or she could take control of the moment, trust her preparation, and believe in herself.
The Internal Dialogue: “I’ve Done This Before”
In a game where the atmosphere was charged, and the stakes were high, Chloe Kitts found solace in one simple phrase she repeated to herself: “I’ve done this before.” It was a reminder of her journey—the countless hours spent practicing, the games she had played in before, the moments when she had risen to the occasion. For Kitts, the key wasn’t in trying to avoid the pressure—it was in embracing it and remembering that she had the tools to succeed.
Kitts had been in high-pressure moments before. Whether it was a game-winner in high school or crucial possessions in earlier South Carolina games, she had experienced adversity and challenges, and she had learned how to respond. She wasn’t a stranger to the spotlight. What she told herself in that instant was a reaffirmation of everything she had worked for up until that point. She wasn’t just a freshman or a backup player anymore—she was a member of a championship-caliber team, and her contributions were valuable.
“I’ve done this before,” she repeated mentally, “and I can do it again.”
That simple mantra helped Kitts clear her mind. The pressure of the moment didn’t dissipate, but it became manageable. It wasn’t a matter of forcing a play or trying to perform at an impossible level—it was about playing within herself, trusting her instincts, and executing the fundamentals that Coach Staley had instilled in her and the entire team.
The Turning Point: Rising to the Challenge
Kitts didn’t hesitate when the ball came her way. She drove to the basket, absorbing the contact from a Duke defender, and finished the layup through the foul. The play ignited the crowd, and it was clear from the look on Kitts’ face that she was back in control of the game. She had found her rhythm, and in that moment, the Gamecocks had regained the momentum.
That sequence was a pivotal moment in the game, and it was one that would not have been possible if Kitts had let the pressure consume her. Her ability to calm herself and execute in such a critical spot spoke volumes about her growth as a player. From that point forward, Kitts was a driving force for South Carolina, helping to guide her team to victory.
The Gamecocks would go on to win the game, and Kitts’ performance was a key part of that success. While Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke would earn much of the spotlight for their leadership and scoring, it was Kitts’ clutch moments—her poise under pressure and her ability to deliver when her team needed her most—that became a defining story of the game.
The Impact of That Moment on Chloe Kitts
Chloe Kitts’ performance against Duke marked a significant milestone in her development as a player. More than just the points or the win, it was about the mental growth she exhibited. It was about learning how to handle the weight of high-stakes situations, how to trust herself, and how to make the most of the preparation that had come before. That moment taught her that confidence isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about believing in yourself when everything is on the line.
For the South Carolina program, the Duke game was another step toward greatness. But for Kitts, it was a moment of personal validation, one that would stay with her throughout her career. The internal dialogue that helped her regain her composure wasn’t just a temporary fix—it was a foundation for her future success. As she continued her development under Coach Staley’s guidance, Kitts would come to understand that moments like these define who you are as a player. The ability to rise under pressure is what separates the greats from the good, and Chloe Kitts had just proven she had that quality in abundance.
Embracing Pressure, Embracing Growth
What Chloe Kitts told herself in that critical moment during the South Carolina-Duke game wasn’t just a line to calm her nerves—it was a reflection of her growth as a player. It was a reminder that success isn’t just about talent; it’s about the ability to perform when the lights are brightest. In this game, Kitts demonstrated that she not only had the skills to succeed but also the mental toughness to thrive when it mattered most.
For Kitts, that game would mark a key turning point in her career, one where she would continue to build on the lessons learned in that moment. As South Carolina continues to chase greatness, Kitts will undoubtedly play a significant role in their pursuit of a championship. But just as importantly, she will carry the lesson she taught herself in that critical moment: with the right mindset, anything is possible.
