S. Carolina brings on former Oregon PG Paopao

Former Oregon level guard Te-Hina Paopao has dedicated to South Carolina, she introduced Monday on social media.

Paopao has two years of eligibility remaining. She averaged 12.5 factors, 3.6 assists and three.9 rebounds in three seasons in Eugene, the place she was an all-Pac-12 First Crew choice as a freshman and sophomore and an honorable point out as a junior.

“blessed & excited for the journey forward,” Paopao wrote in her social media submit. “go gamecocks !”

Paopao was No. 7 in ESPN’s switch rankings this offseason. She was No. 11 in Hoop Gurlz’s class of 2020 recruit rankings.

The 5-foot-9 California product bolsters a South Carolina lineup that misplaced seven gamers — together with all 5 starters — to both the WNBA or commencement, together with No. 1 general WNBA draft decide Aliyah Boston, level guard Kierra Fletcher and guard Zia Cooke, who was additionally a first-round choice.

The Gamecocks return Raven Johnson, a rising redshirt sophomore who performed significant minutes on the level off the bench this previous season, the place South Carolina went 36-1 earlier than falling to Iowa in a nationwide semifinal. Kamilla Cardoso (9.8 factors, 8.5 rebounds per sport) is their prime returning scorer and rebounder.

Paopao was additionally top-of-the-line 3-point shooters within the nation final season (42.4% from the arc), one thing South Carolina will gladly incorporate after hitting roughly 31% of their 3s throughout the final two seasons.

Paopao handled accidents her first two seasons, however she was absolutely wholesome in 2022-23 and led the Geese in scoring throughout their four-game run within the WNIT.

With Paopao — their first switch portal addition this offseason — in tow, the Gamecocks will look to return to a fourth consecutive Last 4 in 2024.