“Shoutout to the ‘FAMS’—ya’ll made my experience here so much fun,” These were Te-Hina Paopao’s words as she played her last game at the Colonial Life Arena—home of South Carolina Gamecocks. No, the Gamecocks didn’t lose the game, and neither Te-Hina is sidelined. On the flip side, she led her side to a famous victory the arena has seen in years.
Playing in her final college year, Te-Hina’s lockdown defense led her side to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Division I tournament. When the team was struggling offensively, Te-Hina orchestrated the fastbreak through her defensive game – 4 blocks, 2 steals, and 4 rebounds say it all. The crowd cheered her plays as South Carolina defeated Indiana Hoosiers 64-53.
“Paopao’s defense was great—it was executed to a T,” HC Dawn Staley said after the historic game for Te-Hina. “What she says is coming from being an experienced player that’s been through this process and we need her voice,” the coach explained. The instrumental star, who delivered an NCAA title in 2024, once again delivered for the side. So what better time than now to know more about her?
Honestly, maturity and understanding of the game are not sudden for Te-Hina. Paopao’s family instilled maturity and understanding of the game in her from childhood, since sports have always been central to their lives. With many of her relatives connected to sports, her uncle, NFL Hall of Famer Junior Seau, was an enormous influence on her.
So it is now time to check out how Te-Hina Paopao developed since high school and how it affected her commercial value.
What are Te-Hina Paopao’s NIL deals as of 2025?
The 2024 NCAA champion and South Carolina’s star performer Te-Hina Paopao signed many lucrative NIL (name, image and likeliness) deals and all justified too. According to On3, Te-Hina Paopao has deals with Canes, HEYDUDE Shoes, Marathon, and Powerade.
In July 2024, she partnered with Sephora and Ouai, two powerhouse brands in skincare and hair care. Importance? These deals prove her influence beyond basketball, showing she’s got the confidence, style, and personality to represent top-tier beauty brands. Whether it’s flawless skin or game-ready hair, Paopao is embracing her star power.Her marketability goes beyond beauty, landing a McDonald’s deal that same month, proving she’s a household name. She also teamed up with Topicals, a skincare brand focused on self-care and mental wellness. In April 2024, she added Raising Cane’s and HEYDUDE Shoes to her growing portfolio. From crispy chicken to comfy footwear, Paopao is aligning with brands that fit her fun, relatable personality.
It doesn’t stop there. Athleticism is still at the core of her brand, and her deals with Marathon and Powerade in March 2024 reflect that. Whether fueling up with an energy drink or representing a major petroleum company, these partnerships highlight her status as a high-performance athlete. Paopao isn’t just a star in college basketball—she’s building a personal brand that blends sports, lifestyle, and culture in a way that makes her truly stand out.
Which high school did Te-Hina Paopao attend?
Te-Hina’s competitive nature grew while playing alongside her four big brothers. Even though she played softball and football, her love for basketball grew more and she decided to work on her hoops. Te-Hina attended La Jolla Country Day School in California and was a five-star recruit for college.
The nation’s No. 11 ranked recruit in the class of 2020 won the 2020 California Gatorade State Player of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Basketball Player of the Year, and Coastal League Player of the Year awards. Te-Hina added the San Diego Section Player of the Year and MaxPreps California State Player of the Year awards to her accolades.
Mar 24, 2024; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) and guard Te-Hina Paopao (0) celebrate a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Her high school career was one of the iconic ones. During her senior year, she averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.3 steals per game. With these incredible stats, she led La Jolla Country Day School to a 32-1 record. The school also was ranked No. 1 at the national level. As a junior, she won the Coast League Player of the Year award and earned a first-team all-San Diego Section selection. Her numbers were outstanding, with an average of 17.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game.
Te-Nina was instrumental in LJCD’s Regional Championship and the California State Final Four run in the 2018-19 season.
After high school, Paopao joined the University of Oregon. Her time at Oregon was very impactful and she received praise from her peers and coaches. Then Oregon HC Kelly Graves compared her to WNBA champion Ionescu. “Te-Hina’s skill set is incredible. She reminds me of Sabrina in her ability to affect the game in so many ways. She is a strong rebounder, an uncanny passer and an elite three-point shooter. She’s an unselfish teammate, a hard worker who always plays the game with a huge smile and a baller to the max with a really high basketball IQ.”
What is Te-Hina Paopao’s net worth and salary?
Te-Hina Paopao is in her final year of college basketball and does not draw any salary. All her income comes from the NIL deals she has signed during her tenure in Jr. and Sr. Level career. Despite her net worth remaining undisclosed publicly, people expect this talented star to become very wealthy because she plans to join the WNBA in 2025.
For more on her, stay tuned.
The post Te-Hina Paopao Net Worth, NIL Value, and High School Stats: Exploring South Carolina Star’s Earnings and Early Life appeared first on EssentiallySports.