South Carolina guard Te-Hina Paopao is so very profoundly unserious, and I love it.

The Gamecocks had a pretty stressful Sunday. They managed to squeak out a 54-50 win against the No. 2 seed Duke Blue Devils, punching their ticket to the Final Four, but it didn’t come without some drama. During the game’s final five seconds in regulation, forward Chloe Kitts stepped to the line for free throws.

The nervous Kitts managed to sink both shots to help seal the win despite missing a few early in the game. During postgame interviews, the media asked Kitts about that tense but very clutch moment. The forward was mid-answer when Paopao hilariously crashed the whole thing.

Kitts: “My teammates and my coaches were just telling me to relax.”

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Paopao (coming in hot from the background): “Oh, yeah, MVP! Period, girl!”

Kitts (*closes eyes*): “Oh my goodness.”

Paopao (*smiling*): “Sorry.”*Kitts proceeds with interview**Paopao grabs the NCAA tournament regional trophy and takes selfies in the background*.

‘I Can’t Believe It Sometimes’: Chloe Kitts’ South Carolina Growth Marvelled By Dawn Staley

South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts has gone a long way since joining the program in 2022. She has improved and grown a lot that even her head coach, Dawn Staley, finds it hard to believe sometimes.

In one recent postgame press conference, Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley talked about how junior forward Chloe Kitts has improved throughout the years, something she admitted to be “unbelievable” sometimes.

“She’s grown in every aspect of her life,” Staley said of Kitts. “Mentally, physically, emotionally. We have grown-up conversations and I can’t believe it sometimes because (of) how she came in. Now she is really thought-provoking. She is really asking all the right things.”

Chloe Kitts joined the South Carolina Gamecocks in December 2022. Kitts enrolled early in college, bypassing her senior year of high school, to become part of the Gamecocks program.

Kitts, in the same presser, addressed her feelings behind the free throws that helped decide the ultimate outcome of their game against Duke.

“I told myself that my coach wanted me to have the ball at the end of the game because she knew I could make my free throws,” Kitts said. “And I told myself that I’m really good at basketball, and I made both of them.”

Chloe Kitts Lifts South Carolina to NCAA Final Four

The South Carolina Gamecocks triumphed over the Duke Blue Devils in a closely contested Elite Eight matchup, securing a 54-50 victory to advance to their fifth consecutive Final Four. The game was marked by intense back-and-forth action, with Duke taking a 42-38 lead at the end of the third quarter. However, South Carolina responded with a strong fourth-quarter performance, scoring the first eight points to regain control and ultimately seal the win.

March 9, 2025; Greenville, SC, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (32) looks to shoot defended but South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts (21) during the first half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Chloe Kitts played a pivotal role in the Gamecocks’ victory, contributing 14 points and 4 rebounds. Her performance included a crucial layup in the fourth quarter that gave South Carolina a 46-42 lead, as well as the final two free throws that iced the game. Kitts’s ability to step up in key moments showcased her importance to the team’s success.

Mar 9, 2025; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts (21) drives to the basket against Texas Longhorns guard Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (32) and forward Taylor Jones (44) during the second half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Gamecocks’ defense was another standout factor, forcing 19 Duke turnovers and holding the Blue Devils to just 32% shooting from the field. Despite Duke’s strong rebounding effort, South Carolina’s resilience and strategic execution allowed them to outlast their opponents.

So far this season, Chloe Kitts is averaging 10.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.