PUYALLUP, Wash. — Sophomore Chloe Kitts helped South Carolina win a national championship against Iowa in the NCAA title game on April 7.
Chloe Kitts went to Meeker Elementary and learned to play basketball in Puyallup before her family moved to Florida. She still has a lot of family in the Pacific Northwest, including a couple of very proud grandparents.
Bev and Don Kitts from Puyallup have been married for 72 years. They are very proud of their family. They have five kids. 10 grandkids, and 10 great-grandchildren.
On Sunday night they were focused on watching their great-granddaughter, Chloe.
"It was the most nerve-wracking thing I've ever had to sit through, let me tell you," said Bev Kitts.
Bev said she still remembers watching Chloe as a young child playing basketball in Puyallup.
"In some ways it was embarrassing because she was so much better than everyone she played against," said Bev.
Chloe's father, Jason, who played at Rogers High and Tacoma Community College was her first coach. Chloe's grandfather Ron helped Puyallup High win a state title in 1971. But Don said one of his favorite moments was when Chloe met her hero, Seattle Storm star Sue Bird.
"Sue talked to the girls, took pictures with the girls, and this was Chloe's idol at the time. I think it shows what professional athletes can do for kids," said Don Kitts.
It's a moment that helped fuel Chloe's fire. In the biggest game of her life, she scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. And with the world watching, Chloe still took time to thank her great-grandparents in Puyallup.
"I just want to thank all my family and friends from Washington, my hometown. I don't really go back a lot, but I'm so blessed and so grateful and I just want to shoutout my great grandparents that I'm so happy I am able to make you guys proud," said Chloe Kitts.