Atlanta Dream make Te-Hina Paopao first Gamecock taken in 2025 WNBA Draft
Three South Carolina women’s basketball alums were selected in Monday night’s WNBA Draft, all in the second round.
USC guard Te-Hina Paopao went to the Atlanta Dream with the No. 18 overall pick. Guard Bree Hall followed at No. 20 to the Indiana Fever, and forward Sania Feagin went next to the Los Angeles Sparks at No. 21 overall.
Paopao will team up with former South Carolina player Allisha Gray on the Dream.
Paopao was a key part of the Gamecocks’ success the last two seasons after transferring to South Carolina from Oregon.
She helped lead South Carolina to an undefeated season and national title in 2024. That year she led the country with a 46.8% 3-point percentage and was named an All-American. Paopao averaged 9.4 points per game for the Gamecocks this season.
She was projected to go as high as the No. 6 pick in the draft and as low as the No. 17 pick in various mock drafts.
Paopao wasn’t at the draft in person in New York City. She watched instead from Oceanside, California with her family.
“I’ll be having the draft party at home just because I want my family to be there,” Paopao said ahead of the draft. “I want to start with the people that have been there for the journey, for the ride. I’m just really excited for my next journey and just super proud.”
The Gamecocks have produced 22 WNBA draft picks in program history, 18 of which were coached by Dawn Staley.
The “off season” will move at lighting speed for Paopao, Hall and Feagin. Training camp will start April 27. The first day of the WNBA season is May 16.
There aren’t many roster spots to go around for WNBA draftees. While first-round picks have a higher shot at making a team, they still aren’t guaranteed a roster spot. The latter is especially true for players drafted in the second and third rounds.
Bree Hall to Indiana Fever
Hall, who is from Ohio, also took in the draft with an at-home watch party. She’ll reunite with former South Carolina teammate Aliyah Boston on the Fever.
“BIG BREEZY REUNION ... im literally crying rn,” Boston posted to X/Twitter.
Hall was projected to be an early third round pick by ESPN.
She was a pillar of one of the most successful recruiting classes at South Carolina alongside Feagin and Raven Johnson. She helped South Carolina win two national championships during her time as a Gamecock.
Hall, known for her elite defensive play and knack for making timely big shots, averaged averaged 6.3 points and three rebounds per game this season. Staley hailed her as one of the best defenders she’s ever coached.
Sania Feagin to LA Sparks
Shortly after Feagin was taken by the Los Angeles Sparks, NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson gave her a shout-out on social media. Johnson is co-owner of the Sparks.
“Welcome to the to the Los Angeles Sparks Sania Feagin!” Johnson said on X/Twitter. “Another strong addition to our team, Sania shot 60% from the field, is a strong rebounder and shot blocker, and she knows how to win as a two-time national champion!”
Feagin was the lone Gamecock who was in person at the draft. Staley and her coaching staff were also in attendance.
Feagin saw her draft stock rise in the last few months of South Carolina’s season. The forward had a career-year during her senior season after coming off the bench to relieve the likes of future WNBA pros Kamilla Cardoso and Aliyah Boston (to name a few) during the beginning of her career.
“This feeling is like something you can’t even explain,” Feagin said of being drafted. “So just to know that I grew up and started from really nothing, and that’s where I am now is amazing.”
She was named to the All-SEC defensive team (the first All-SEC honor of the her career), All-SEC Tournament and earned NCAA All-Regional team honors in March. Feagin averaged a career-high 8.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks this year.
“Sania has shown a commitment to doing what it takes to contribute to a championship culture,” Los Angeles Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley said in a release. “She is a strong defender who brings toughness to both sides of the floor. We love what she has accomplished thus far and are excited about her future.”
This story was originally published April 14, 2025 at 9:17 PM with the headline "Atlanta Dream make Te-Hina Paopao first Gamecock taken in 2025 WNBA Draft."
