South Carolina women's basketball star makes another award watch list
On Tuesday evening, South Carolina women’s basketball star Te-Hina Paopao earned inclusion on another award watch list. This time, the sharpshooting guard was placed on the late midseason watch list for the Wooden Award. Given to the top player in the country at season’s end, the Wooden Award’s current list is down to 20 players.
This season, Paopao has helped the Gamecocks to a 22-2 record and a top-5 ranking. She has averaged 10.3 points, 2.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1 steal. She’s also been a better defender this season.
Last year, Paopao also made the Wooden Award’s top 20.
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From the South Carolina Athletics release:
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball fifth-year senior Te-Hina Paopao earned a spot on the John R. Wooden Award Women’s Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List, the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced today. It marks the second time in as many seasons that she has made the list.
A 2024 All-American, Paopao’s impact on the Gamecocks’ success goes beyond her stats. Her calm demeanor steadies the offense, and her improved defense has the Gamecocks ranked among the nation’s top 10 in field goal percentage. Last season’s NCAA 3-point percentage leader has diversified her offense this season, averaging 4.5 points from 3-point range, 3.6 from the paint, and 1.5 from midrange this season.
Paopao is third on the team with 10.3 points per game, including 11.5 against ranked opponents, which is second most on the team. In 11 games against ranked foes, she is shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 42.0 percent from 3-point range. In SEC games, Paopao adds 2.8 assists per game with a 1.55 assist-to-turnover ratio.
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2025 John R. Wooden Award Women’s Player of the Year. Players not selected for the late midseason list remain eligible for inclusion on the Wooden Award National Ballot. The National Ballot will feature 15 top layers who have demonstrated to their universities that they meet or exceed the Wooden Award qualifications.
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Wooden Award voters will be invited to rank 10 of the 15 players on the ballot in order of preference when voting opens during the NCAA Tournament. Voters will also consider performances in the tournament’s early rounds, players’ contributions to their teams, and their character. The Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced during the week of the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.
No. 4/4 South Carolina is back in action this week with a pair of home games beginning on Thu., Feb. 13, against Florida. Tipoff at Colonial Life Arena is set for 6 p.m.
Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on South Carolina women’s basketball.
Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List
Georgia Amoore, Kentucky
Lauren Betts, UCLA
Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt
Madison Booker, Texas
Paige Bueckers, UConn
Talaysia Cooper, Tennessee
Audi Crooks, Iowa State
Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Aziaha James, NC State
Flau’jae Johnson, LSU
Ta’Niya Latson, Florida State
Cotie McMahon, Ohio State
Olivia Miles, Notre Dame
Aneesah Morrow, LSU
Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina
Sedona Prince, TCU
Sarah Strong, UConn
Hailey Van Lith, TCU
JuJu Watkins, Southern Cal
