Te-Hina Paopao

Te-Hina Paopao is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA. A guard known for her elite three-point shooting and high basketball IQ, she emerged as a top college prospect and won a national championship at South Carolina. Her game blends precision shooting with steady playmaking, making her a valuable floor spacer and secondary ball handler. Her Samoan heritage is a central part of her identity, and she has spoken about wanting to inspire Pacific Islander youth. As of 2026, she is entering her third WNBA season, working to carve out a consistent role in the Dream's rotation. Fans appreciate her work ethic, composure, and the quiet confidence she brings to the court.[edit]

Te-Hina Paopao was born on August 21, 2002, in the United States to parents of Samoan descent. She grew up in San Diego, California, in a sports-oriented family where basketball became her focus early on. She attended La Jolla Country Day School, quickly establishing herself as a standout player. By her sophomore year, she was a varsity starter, and her shooting ability drew national attention. Playing AAU basketball for the Cal Storm, she competed against the best talent in the country. In 2020, she was named a McDonald's All-American, a prestigious honor that confirmed her status as one of the top high school prospects, ranked as a top-20 recruit nationally by ESPN. That same year, she committed to the University of Oregon, a perennial powerhouse in women's college basketball. Her father introduced her to the game and served as her first coach, instilling a love for the sport that carried her through her formative years. She also excelled academically, earning Pac-12 All-Academic honors during her time at Oregon.[edit]

Paopao's college career began at Oregon in 2020-21, where she started as a freshman and averaged 10.9 points and 4.1 assists, earning Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors. Over three seasons with the Ducks, she averaged 12.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.7 rebounds, showcasing her sharpshooting and playmaking. In 2023, she transferred to the University of South Carolina, joining the defending national champions. At South Carolina, she led the nation in three-point percentage at 48.8% and helped the Gamecocks finish the regular season undefeated at 32-0. She won the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship, earned All-SEC Second Team honors, and was named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Watch List. In the 2024 WNBA Draft, she was selected 32nd overall by the Atlanta Dream. She made her WNBA debut in May 2024 and has been developing as a role player, focusing on refining her defensive game and three-point consistency. As of 2026, she is entering her third season with the Dream, aiming to secure a larger role in the rotation. She holds a degree from the University of South Carolina.[edit]

Te-Hina Paopao is known for her quiet, hardworking demeanor and fundamentally sound game. Media profiles often highlight her maturity and composure on the court, as well as her elite three-point shooting. Her social media presence is positive and family-oriented, featuring game highlights, training clips, and moments with teammates. She does not have an official fandom name, but fans often refer to themselves as "Dream fans" or "Paopao's People." Her content tone is professional and grateful, frequently thanking coaches, teammates, and supporters. She is seen as a promising young guard with a high basketball IQ, and her Samoan heritage adds a distinctive layer to her public identity. She has been featured in Sports Illustrated as part of the South Carolina team cover in April 2024.[edit]

Te-Hina Paopao commands a dedicated following among Atlanta Dream supporters and basketball purists who value her quiet intensity and sharp shooting eye. Her social media presence, anchored by over 126,000 followers, serves as a hub for game highlights and training clips rather than a stage for viral stunts or organized fan campaigns. Unlike athletes with cult-like followings that fill stadiums with custom chants or coordinate billboard tributes, Paopao's community remains organic and dispersed. Fans interact through standard channels, celebrating her steady progression from a collegiate standout to a professional rotation player. There is no formal name for this collective; the audience identifies simply as Dream fans or supporters of her work ethic. The narrative surrounding her career focuses on her rapid ascent and potential rather than mythical folklore or crowd-shutting moments. She has yet to accumulate the decades of history required to spawn the specific legends or iconic incidents that define cultural icons. While reports highlight her three-point prowess and composure during high-profile matchups, these are documented achievements rather than retold stories passed down to newcomers. As an emerging talent in her second WNBA season, she is building a reputation defined by fundamentals and reliability. iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Te-Hina Paopao, but she does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list).[edit]

Her first name, Te-Hina, translates to "the moon" in Samoan, a meaning reflected in a small wrist tattoo she wears as a personal nod to her heritage. Paopao earned Pac-12 All-Academic honors at Oregon while balancing rigorous athletics with academic success. She credits her father as the man who introduced her to basketball and served as her first coach. A close friendship persists with former South Carolina teammate Kamilla Cardoso, now playing for the Chicago Sky. An avid Golden State Warriors fan, she models her off-ball movement and shooting mechanics after Stephen Curry. Listed at 5 feet 9 inches, she balances precision shooting with steady playmaking. Her professional trajectory includes being selected by the Atlanta Dream in the 2025 WNBA Draft as the 18th overall pick.[edit]

Paopao was born to parents of Samoan descent, who have been a constant source of support throughout her basketball journey. Her father was her first coach and played a key role in developing her love for the game. She has siblings, though their names are not widely publicized. Her family often attends her games, and she has shared that their presence motivates her. Her full name is Te-Hina Olive-Talaave Paopao. As of 2026, she lives in Atlanta during the WNBA season, close to the Dream's facilities.[edit]

Te-Hina Paopao played under Hall of Fame coach Dawn Staley at South Carolina, who helped refine her game and mentality. She formed a strong bond with teammate Kamilla Cardoso, with whom she won a national championship. On the Atlanta Dream, she shares the backcourt with star guard Rhyne Howard. Her college rivalry included matchups against top SEC programs like LSU and Tennessee.[edit]

Te-Hina Paopao has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships as of 2026. Her social media and public appearances focus exclusively on basketball, training, family, and teammates. There are no credible reports of past relationships, engagements, or marriages. She has not discussed any partner in interviews. As of 2026, she is reportedly single.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Te-Hina Paopao's net worth stands at $150,000. This figure reflects her primary income source: a rookie contract with the Atlanta Dream paying approximately $67,000 to $75,000 annually. She has not yet secured major national endorsement deals, though local or regional sponsorships may supplement her earnings. Many WNBA players bolster their finances by playing overseas during the off-season, but there are no confirmed reports of Paopao signing such a contract for the 2025-2026 period. She holds no publicly known real estate holdings, business ventures, or investment portfolios. Her financial standing is expected to grow as she gains experience and potentially signs higher-value contracts or secures new endorsement opportunities.[edit]

Te-Hina Paopao won the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship with South Carolina, along with SEC regular season and tournament titles. She was named a McDonald's All-American in 2020 and earned Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors in 2021. She has not yet won individual professional awards.[edit]