Latest news with #Kitts
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
South Carolina women's basketball star Chloe Kitts in images
South Carolina women's basketball player Chloe Kitts was on hand to lend support to boyfriend Collin Murray-Boyles, a forward the Toronto Raptors took with the ninth pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday. Kitts, a 6-2 forward, had her best season for the national power Gamecocks in 2024-25. She averaged 10.2 points per game and 7.7 rebounds while starting 38 games. Kitts was considered a five-star recruit when she decided on South Carolina. She was an NCAA champion in 2024 and was the SEC tournament MVP in 2025. An NBA-WNBA connection would be a new power couple once Kitts finishes her playing time in Columbia, S.C. Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts
New York Post
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Collin Murray-Boyles shares emotional 2025 NBA Draft moment with girlfriend Chloe Kitts
Chloe Kitts was overcome with emotion on Wednesday night after boyfriend Collin Murray-Boyles was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2025 NBA Draft. Upon hearing NBA commissioner Adam Silver call the former South Carolina star's name at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Kitts — a member of the Gamecocks' women's basketball team — took in the moment in a vibrant red dress as Murray-Boyles' dreams became a reality. 4 Collin Murray-Boyles hugs girlfriend and South Carolina women's basketball player Chloe Kitts at the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25, 2025. Getty Images Advertisement A 6-foot-7 forward, Murray-Boyles spent two years at South Carolina and averaged 16.8 points this past season. He declared for the NBA draft in April with a heartfelt message to Gamecock Nation. Advertisement 'South Carolina will always be home! I couldn't have gotten here without everyone who has been in my corner since day one,' Murray-Boyles shared on Instagram. 4 Chloe Kitts stunned in a vibrant red dress at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. ESPN/X 4 Chloe Kitts in action against the UConn Huskies in the NCAA women's championship game. Getty Images Kitts, a 6-foot-2 forward, wrapped her third season at South Carolina in April when the defending champion Gamecocks fell to the UConn Huskies in the NCAA women's championship game. Advertisement She averaged 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists during the 2024-25 season. Follow The Post's coverage of the 2025 NBA Draft Kitts and Murray-Boyles have reportedly been dating since 2023. 4 Adam Silver with Collin Murray-Boyles after he was selected ninth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. Brad Penner-Imagn Images Advertisement As the night continued, Kitts accessorized her fiery ensemble with a Raptors baseball cap. Toronto is coming off a 30-52 season, in which they finished 11th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs. The Raptors also hold the No. 39 overall pick in the draft. The second round gets underway Thursday.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Santa Maria Valley Hospitality Veterans Reveal Their Favorite Hidden Gems
Three longtime Santa Maria Valley business owners share their favorite places to visit with friends and family, just in time for summer. Drinks at Blast 825 Town Orcutt Rolling hills in Santa Maria Valley Santa Maria, California, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Summer is the season for road trips, weekend getaways and time by the beach—and Santa Maria Valley is the California Central Coast destination that offers it all, for a fraction of the price. Award-winning wine, iconic Santa Maria Style barbecue and uncrowded landscapes are this destination's calling card, and three local business owners are exposing its best-kept secrets for visitors to get even more out of a trip to Santa Maria Valley. Grab a drink in Old Town Orcutt and toast to the road less traveledEmily Kitts, a Santa Maria Valley resident of nearly 25 years, is the co-owner of Naughty Oak Brewing Co., a craft brewery and longtime community staple of Old Town Orcutt. Naughty Oak offers an exceptional selection of beers on tap, thoughtfully brewed by Kitts' husband and co-owner, Stephen Kitts. So, where does a brewery proprietress go for a drink, one might ask? The answer is, quite literally, right around the corner. Lark + Sparrow, an atmospheric vintage-themed bar known for its global wine and beer selection, is less than a five-minute walk from Naughty Oak. 'Lark + Sparrow is a regular spot for my friends and I. They host so many fun, original events,' said Kitts. 'The syrups for their cocktails are made in-house, and they curate a really great selection of wine and beer that you don't usually see around here.' Feasts fit for foodies: enjoy international cuisine in Santa Maria ValleyChef Ernesto Picazo is the mastermind behind Beso Cocina and Blast 825 Brewery, two restaurants in Santa Maria Valley known for their delectable craft cocktails and hearty Californian and Mexican-inspired cuisine. Picazo's Central Coast roots run deep, and his wife is a Santa Maria Valley native. His family has a special connection to Hamasato, a family-owned Japanese restaurant in the Santa Maria Commercial Center. 'Hamasato was the last restaurant we went to before our twin girls were born, and the first one we went to right after—we have before-and-after photos,' said Picazo. 'We all love sushi, and Hamasato has been our go-to for years.' Gina Martin opened Gina's Piece of Cake more than two decades ago, and has lived in Santa Maria Valley her entire life. The bakery has it all, from cookies and eclairs to Martin's personal favorite, a savory, cheesy linguica roll. Her family's longtime gathering place is El Palenque, a local Mexican restaurant. 'I've been going to El Palenque since I was a young girl, and at this point, it's like home,' said Martin. 'My son is visiting from out of state, and we're going to El Palenque for dinner. Their carne asada sopes and cheese enchiladas are delicious.' While their favorite spots may be different, all three business owners agree that the close-knit community is what makes Santa Maria Valley special. With its small-town charm, unbeatable hospitality and welcoming atmosphere, Santa Maria Valley is the perfect home base to explore the best of the California Central Coast. Plan a trip today by visiting ### Media Note: Media interested in speaking with a local business owner, food or wine expert can email for more information. Media familiarization tours are available for qualified media. Photo Cutline: This summer, discover the California Central Coast's hidden gem, Santa Maria Valley. Additional photos are available Santa Maria Valley:Serving the greater Santa Maria Valley in the heart of California's Central Coast, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau is a nonprofit association that facilitates local tourism and provides information on the region's many attractions and visitor services. Famed for its fine wines, natural wonders, agricultural heritage and flavorful barbecue, the Santa Maria Valley offers a broad range of cultural, sporting and historical experiences. For details on Santa Maria Valley lodging, wine tasting, travel deals and e-newsletter alerts, visit or call (800) 331-3779. Contact Info Nicole 530-448-6485 Attachments Drinks at Blast 825 Town Orcutt Rolling hills in Santa Maria Valley
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Staley, South Carolina are back in the Final Four
Swish Appeal's contributing writer, Stephanie Kaloi, and photographer, Christina Merrion, were in Birmingham to chronicle and capture Sunday's Elite Eight showdown between South Carolina and Duke. Here's what they saw, with words from Stephanie and photos from Christina. There was never a doubt that Sunday's Elite Eight matchup between No. 1-seed South Carolina and No. 2-seed Duke Blue Devils was going to be tough—and both teams more than delivered. The Gamecocks eventually prevailed after a 40-minute fight, 54-50. Advertisement To start the game, Duke's Toby Fournier was responsible for most of her team's success, though her efforts were matched by Sania Feagin, Chloe Kitts, and MiLaysia Fulwiley on the South Carolina side. Raven Johnson deftly stepped in when needed at the top of the second when she hit a 3-pointer as Kitts and Feagin also kept things moving in the Gamecocks' direction with a combined 12 points. South Carolina led things 26-22 at the half. South Carolina's Raven Johnson. As they are wont to do, Duke came out of halftime on fire, ending the third period with a 42-38 lead. Ashlon Jackson and Reigan Richardson proved especially impactful for the Blue Devils, netting a combined 15 points. Duke's Ashlon Jackson. The fourth quarter battle was heated from the beginning. Both teams were playing hard and fast, with bucket after bucket matched. If any group made their presence known, it was South Carolina's fans, or FAMS, who spent most of the quarter screaming themselves hoarse in an attempt to inspire the Gamecocks. After a layup from Te-Hina Paopao pushed South Carolina ahead, a quick shot from Kitts at the six-minute mark pulled the team up 46-42. South Carolina's Chloe Kitts. But the Blue Devils were unwilling to go easily. Fournier tied the game up 46-46 with just under five minutes left, prompting a timeout. Sania Feagin broke the standoff, hitting a shot to bring the score to 48-46. Soon thereafter, a swath of South Carolina fans and Duke fans rose to their feet, the game at 52-50 in South Carolina's favor with under a minute to go. South Carolina assistant coach Khadijah Sessions. Johnson made the most of the time. She passed to Feagin, who missed a layup. The ball went out of bounds, earning the Gamecocks another chance—just when the moment (and the game clock) went under review. The clock was reset to 29.8 and Duke was immediately rewarded with a charge call against the Gamecocks, although most of the crowd was not pleased. Advertisement Duke took possession with a chance to take the lead. Jackson attempted and missed a 3-pointer that was caught by Bree Hall with 6.4 seconds on the clock—a moment that all but sealed the Blue Devils' fate. With the clock reset to 7.2 seconds, Kitts was immediately fouled as the Gamecocks inbounded the ball. She landed both free throws, bringing the score to 54-50 and prompting a Duke timeout. The Blue Devils turned the ball over on their final possession, sending the Gamecocks back to the Final Four for a fifth-straight season. South Carolina's Bree Hall. It was clear for most of the game that Feagin wasn't on the court to do anything other than win. Her 12-point and eight-rebound effort was complemented by Kitts, who hit free throw after free throw all afternoon to finish with a team-high 14 points. Papao and Johnson also had standout afternoons for the Gamecocks, hitting every shot they needed to right when it was the most important to do so. The pair, who are both expected to enter the WNBA Draft this year, finished the night with nine and seven points, respectively. South Carolina's Te-Hina Paopao. Now, the Gamecocks and head coach Dawn Staley will prepare for the Final Four in Tampa, where they will No. 1-seed Texas or No. 2-seed TCU on Friday, April 4. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley. More from
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Coloring. Legos. TikTok. How women's Final Four stars take care of their mental health
Coloring. Legos. TikTok. How women's Final Four stars take care of their mental health UCLA's Lauren Betts, South Carolina's Chloe Kitts, Texas' Rori Harmon and other Final Four stars opened up about how they take care of their mental health during pressure-packed March Madness. Show Caption Hide Caption UCLA vs UConn, South Carolina vs Texas sets stage for Final Four USA Today's Meghan Hall previews the women's Final Four teams that will be heading down to Tampa to compete for national championship. Sports Seriously Several prominent women's college basketball players have opened up about their mental health journeys during the 2025 Final Four. Players utilize various methods for managing pre-game anxiety and stress, including coloring, building Lego sets and doing therapy. Social media's impact on mental health varies among players, with some finding it detrimental and others viewing it as a healthy distraction. Many players emphasize the importance of having a strong support system and engaging in activities outside of basketball to maintain their mental well-being. TAMPA, Fla. — Confetti. Cutting down the nets. March Madness glory. All the rewards a college basketball player and her teammates dream of are within reach at the 2025 women's Final Four. So, on the biggest of stages, several of the game's biggest stars reflected on their mental health journey and how they handle the pressure of the moment. Lauren Betts, a center for No. 1 overall seed UCLA, took time away from the team last season to seek mental health treatment, and she continues to be open and honest about her mental health journey. 'I just don't feel like I have to really hide this anymore,' Betts said on Thursday. Watch women's Final Four live with Fubo (free trial) Not 50 paces from the microphone Betts sat behind, South Carolina's Chloe Kitts shared a similar sentiment. 'I feel like it's OK to talk about,' said Kitts, who noted it took some maturing to realize seeking help is what she needed. 'I mean, I'm just now talking about it because I'm just now taking care of myself.' Prior to the Gamecocks' Elite Eight contest, Kitts shared with ESPN how she uses a coloring book and her headphones – without music – to calm her nerves in the moments before game time. Kitts, with the help of her therapist, tried many strategies to ease her pregame anxiety before landing on her this routine. 'The breathing techniques didn't really help for me,' Kitts said. 'But I feel like my therapist just let me find something that was best for me and I haven't looked back since.' Chloe Kitts colors children's books as a way to destress before games ❤️ — espnW (@espnW) March 30, 2025 Texas guard Rori Harmon spoke earnestly on the subject as well, highlighting that mental health doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution. 'Some people, it's hard for them to talk to therapists, so they just talk to their friends,' Harmon said. 'Or some people need to talk to someone who actually has a solution to their problems.' Harmon's reflections around mental health followed a season-ending ACL injury last season. She called the injury and recovery process the hardest thing she'd experienced in her life thus far. 'I am a D-I athlete, and I can get through anything physical because that's something that we do every day,' Harmon said. 'But as far as, like, taking a mental toll, that's not something that we're always used to.' With stressors coming from the game itself as well as the new attention the sport has garnered, UConn players Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong recommend deleting social media apps. Alternatively, South Carolina players Sania Feagin and Raven Johnson find positives in being on social media. 'I think some of us, we need TikTok,' Johnson said. 'If you eat, sleep, breathe basketball, you're honestly going to be depressed and stressed about it. I think it helps us, gives us a little laughter, makes us enjoy things other than basketball.' A common thread between most players is the need to find some sort of outlet beyond the sport they love. For Kitts, it is coloring books. For Feagin, it's building Lego sets or painting. 'I think people forget that basketball isn't like who we are,' Harmon added. 'It's just something that we do ... something that we take pride in, we love doing, but we're humans, too.' UCLA's Lauren Betts reveals her focus on "mental work" ahead of Final Four UCLA Lauren Betts explains how her focus on improving her mental health has contributed to her performance this season. On the other hand, UConn's Kaitlyn Chen, a graduate transfer from Princeton, pointed to the game of basketball as her outlet from the anxiety-causing parts of regular life. 'Basketball has played a big part in being sort of a stress reliever for me,' Chen said. 'Because it's a break from school and a break from every other daily stressor, and it's just something that I still find to bring me a lot of joy and something that's really fun for me.' The strategies players use to take care of their mental health differ, but all of the players were in agreement about the importance of a support system. 'For every 500 people that love you, there's going to be five that hate you,' Bueckers said. 'So it's just focusing on the people that are important.' Women's Final Four schedule Makenzy Wolford is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.
