**Breaking News: Nation’s No. 1 Player Chloe Kitts Commits to Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Basketball**
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, Chloe Kitts, widely regarded as one of the top talents in women’s basketball and often ranked as the nation’s No. 1 player in various recruiting evaluations during her high school days, has announced her commitment to the University of Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball program.
The announcement came via Kitts’ social media channels early this morning, where she shared a photo of herself in a red Wisconsin jersey, captioned: “New chapter begins. On to Madison. Go Badgers! 🦡❤️.” The move marks a dramatic shift for the 6-foot-2 forward, who has spent her entire collegiate career with the powerhouse South Carolina Gamecocks under head coach Dawn Staley.
Kitts, a former five-star recruit from Oviedo, Florida, originally committed to South Carolina in 2022 over elite offers from programs like Duke, Louisville, NC State, and Arizona. She enrolled early in January 2023, bypassing her senior year of high school, and quickly became a key contributor for the Gamecocks. Over her time in Columbia, she helped lead South Carolina to multiple deep postseason runs, including a national championship in 2024. In her most recent full season before injury setbacks, she averaged double-figure points and was a dominant rebounder, earning honorable mention All-America honors.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Kitts’ decision stems from a desire for a fresh start and a new challenge after navigating injuries, including a season-ending ACL tear that sidelined her for the 2025-26 campaign. With her eligibility potentially extended due to medical hardship, the Wisconsin move allows her to join a rising Big Ten program looking to elevate its national profile in women’s hoops.
Wisconsin head coach has reportedly been aggressive in the transfer portal this offseason, building around a core that seeks to contend in a loaded conference. Landing a player of Kitts’ caliber—known for her versatile scoring inside, rebounding prowess, defensive intensity, and international experience with USA Basketball gold medals at the U18 and U19 levels—represents a massive coup for the Badgers. Analysts suggest this commitment could instantly vault Wisconsin into top-10 preseason rankings discussions for the upcoming season.
Reaction poured in quickly across the basketball community. South Carolina fans expressed disappointment and well-wishes, with many noting Kitts’ irreplaceable impact on the Gamecocks’ frontcourt. “Chloe gave everything to USC—championship runs, triple-doubles in big moments. This hurts, but we wish her the best in Madison,” one prominent Gamecock supporter posted on X.
Meanwhile, Badgers faithful erupted in celebration. “Nation’s No. 1 coming home to the Midwest? Huge get for the program. This changes everything,” tweeted a Wisconsin booster account. Recruiting experts echoed the sentiment, with one prominent analyst calling it “the biggest portal splash in women’s basketball this cycle.”
Kitts’ journey has been marked by excellence from the start. Born in Puyallup, Washington, and later moving to Florida, she starred at DME Academy, where she averaged high teens in points and rebounds while earning national recognition. Her USA Basketball performances further solidified her as an elite talent, and her early enrollment at South Carolina paid immediate dividends with contributions to back-to-back national title game appearances.
This transfer adds intrigue to the evolving landscape of college women’s basketball, where player movement via the portal continues to reshape rosters rapidly. Wisconsin, traditionally known more for its football and men’s basketball programs, now has a legitimate star to build around in the women’s game.
Kitts is expected to join the Badgers for workouts and team activities soon, pending final NCAA clearance. No official timeline for her on-court debut has been released, but expectations are high that she could make an immediate impact.
The college basketball world will be watching closely as this new era for Chloe Kitts unfolds in Madison. For now, the Badgers have landed what many are calling the biggest commitment of the offseason.
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