Image Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Te-Hina Paopao is ready to appear in the Championship game of Women’s March Madness 2025 after South Carolina’s dominating victory over Texas in the Final Four. Te-Hina Paopao scored 14 points, three rebounds and one assist to set a championship date for the Gamecocks.
Born in Oceanside, California, Te-Hina Paopao earned All-Pac-12 honors and All-Freshmen selection in his first year at college basketball. She is one of only two players in the league to earn both honors. Paopao averaged 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in her sophomore year, including an All-Pac-12 selection.
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In her junior season, she earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention and averaged 13.1 points, 4.2 rebounds 3.3 assists per game. After impressive performances at Oregon, Paopao moved to South Carolina in 2023 and won her maiden NCAA Championship. She was the country’s top percentage 3-point shooter, hitting a career-high 48.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Paopao will now aim for the second NCAA title of her career. Let’s get to know about her parents, who helped her in initial years of college basketball.
Te-Hina Paopao is the daughter of Paul Paopao and Diana. Her father is reportedly an American national. Paopao started playing basketball in her school days and was the starting point guard for a U16 team at the age of 10. Her parents supported her throughout her journey from school to college basketball.
South Carolina guard, Paopao belongs to a football family. Her uncle Joe Salave’a played in the NFL as a defensive tackle and later, became a college football coach. Te-Hina is also a cousin of softball player Megan Faraimo.
Paopao has 2 elder brothers, Israel and Isaia, an older sister, Tiare, and a younger brother, Iosefa Paopao Meinke-Aviu. Her brothers decided to pursue a career in football due to her uncle’s NFL influence.
Te-Hina Paopao’s mother is Diana Paopao. There is no credible information about her mother.
Te-Hina Paopao’s father is Paul Paopao and he has really helped her daughter to start her basketball career. During an interview, Te-Hina talked about his father and how he motivated her to get up and do something at 7 years old. She used to join her brother’s workouts at 4 a.m.
Te-Hina Paopao’s parents, Paul Paopao and Diana Paopao are American citizens who hail from Oceanside, California. She is of Samoan and Tokelauan descent.
Image Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
