Te-Hina Paopao announces she will return to South Carolina in 2024-25

Even before the postseason begins for South Carolina, head coach Dawn Staley has been given a huge boost for the 2024-2025 season. Te-Hina Paopao announced she will be returning for another year in Columbia. After transferring in from Oregon, Paopao has played a huge role in the Gamecocks’ undefeated season.

Paopao released a video on social media to let the world know, with Staley and her father, Paul, making appearances. Paul thanked Staley for making the Paopaos feel like family in Columbia but reiterated there is still work to be done before moving to the WNBA.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you and South Carolina have meant to T and our whole family,” Paul Paopao said to Staley in a phone call. “Last summer, you promised us that T would have another family in South Carolina, looking out for her. In your program, she found a place she could flourish, be happy, and revive her love for the game of basketball.

“You promised T that you could get her ready for the next level in a program like South Carolina. The past six months have been everything we thought it could be for our whole family. They have given T life and we are so thankful for that. But coach, real talk. What we really called to tell you is that these last six months have not been enough. T wants more.”

Gods plan . 🙏🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/BYI9iyEx4d

— 👑🇦🇸🇹🇰 (@tehinapaopa0) March 5, 2024

Staley gave her reaction to the news, replying to Paopao’s video on X. You can tell how excited she is to keep Paopao in the program for another year.

“A birdie is staying in the nest! Let’s goooo Pao!!!!! @GamecockWBB FAMs we are running it back!!!”

Te-Hina Paopao enjoying first season with South Carolina

Paopao is averaging 11.5 points per game this season (third on South Carolina) while shooting a career-best 48.3% from the field. She has distributed the ball well too, currently second on the Gamecocks with 3.8 assists per game.

From a scoring perspective, consistency has been the name of the game for Paopao. Of South Carolina’s 26 regular season games, she was in double figures in 19 of them. Paopao had a season-high 21 points in the midseason nonconference showdown against UConn, her best performance since transferring over.

There is still work for South Carolina this season, hoping to win a national championship. First up will be the SEC Tournament, with the Gamecocks playing their first game on Friday afternoon.