It was a dream come true for Oceanside native Te-Hina Paopao as she heard her name called as the No. 18 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream. Surrounded by nearly 300 friends and family members at the El Corazon Senior Center, Paopao celebrated the milestone moment with the very people who supported her journey from the beginning.
“That moment was just pure enjoyment and pure peace,” said Paopao. “First thought of my family because they’ve helped me so much in this process and this journey.”
Wearing traditional Samoan attire, the La Jolla Country Day School (LJCD) graduate made it a night to remember, not just for herself, but for the community that raised her.
Paopao is the first South Carolina player selected in this year’s draft and joins an Atlanta Dream team bolstered by the recent signing of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner. “I’m just ready to open my next chapter,” she said during a live ESPN interview, adding, “I want to be an inspiration not only to Samoan girls but to people all around.”
A Decorated Journey to the Pros
Paopao’s basketball story is full of accolades. At LJCD, she averaged 22.7 points, 8 rebounds, and 3.3 steals per game her senior year, earning McDonald’s All-American, Gatorade California Player of the Year, and Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Basketball honors.
She spent three seasons at the University of Oregon, where she twice earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honors, before transferring to South Carolina. There, she developed into a dynamic guard and an elite 3-point shooter, leading the nation with a 46.8% shooting rate from beyond the arc in her first season with the Gamecocks.
In her final year, she focused on expanding her inside game, cutting to the basket and improving her mid-range shots, while also becoming a stronger defender. Her turnovers per game dropped from 2.0 to 1.2, showcasing her growth as a smart, reliable playmaker.
A Role Model in the Making
For Te-Hina, being selected isn’t the end—it’s a beginning.
“The job’s not done,” she said. “I just got my job today, so I just got to keep my job and be an inspiration to others through Christ Jesus.”
Her story is one of grit, faith, and family—and now, it’s one of professional success. Oceanside and all of San Diego will be cheering her on as she takes her talents to the WNBA stage.
Follow Te-Hina’s journey this season with the Atlanta Dream and get ready to see one of San Diego’s finest shine on the national stage.
