Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks had yet another successful season, despite a disappointing ending in the national title game.
South Carolina, who entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed, defeated Tennessee Tech, Indiana, Maryland, Duke and Texas, before losing to Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies in the national championship.
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It marked a brutal loss for Staley and her coaching staff since it was the last chance for some of the program’s biggest stars to hoist another championship trophy.
One of the biggest stars that’s been on the Gamecocks over the past several seasons is guard Te-Hina Paopao.
The talented guard made the move to the WNBA after her NCAA Tournament run. Ahead of her league debut, she was named a starter for the Atlanta Dream.
Staley reacted to the news of her gracing the starting lineup, sending an emphatic message to Paopao on social media.
“I stand corrected!!” Staley said. “Starting at pg @tehinapaopaoo! Let’s get it started Pao!!!”
Paopao played her final two seasons at the collegiate level with the South Carolina Gamecocks.
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During her final season under Dawn Staley and her coaching staff, boasting some of the best assistants in the country, Paopao proved to be an elite guard.
Paopao posted 9.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Before playing two years with Staley and the Gamecocks, Paopao previously played with the Oregon Ducks, from 2020 to 2023.
She was consistent throughout her five-year college basketball career, posting 11.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
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