South Carolina women's basketball's Te-Hina Paopao to eschew WNBA draft, return for 5th year

One season in Columbia wasn't enough for South Carolina women's basketball's Te-Hina Paopao.

On Monday night, the senior guard announced on social media that she will be utilizing her COVID-19 extra year of eligibility and returning to the Gamecocks next season.

"I've been thinking a lot about what you and South Carolina have meant to T and our whole family. Last summer, you promised us that T would have another family in South Carolina looking out for her. In your program, she found a place she could flourish, be happy and revive her love for the game of basketball," Paopao's dad, Paul, told South Carolina coach Dawn Staley in a video.

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"You promised T that you could get her ready for the next level in a program like South Carolina," Paul said. "The past six months have been everything we thought they could be for our whole family. They have given T life and we are so thankful for that. But Coach, we real talk, what we really called to tell you is that these last six months have not been enough. T wants more. ... Let's run it back."

Paopao's announcement quickly got a reaction from her coach.

"A birdie is staying in the nest! Let's goooo Pao!!! @GamecockWBB FAMS we are running it back!!!," Stanley wrote on her X account (formerly called Twitter).

Paopao, who transferred to South Carolina this past offseason after three years at Oregon, has been a pivotal part of South Carolina's undefeated season and is expected to be a WNBA lottery pick next season.

The native of Oceanside, California, leads the nation in 3-point shooting percentage at 48.6% among players who take at least five attempts per game.

Paopao and the Gamecocks begin SEC tournament play at noon ET Friday as they look to defend their crown.

Te-Hina Paopao stats

• Career: 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 43.4% field goal shooting percentage and 40.8% shooting from beyond the arc
• 2023 season (South Carolina): 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 48.3% field goal shooting percentage and 48.6% shooting from beyond the arc.