Te-Hina Paopao is walking into the Women’s March Madness 2025 Championship and did it in style. Not so long ago, the South Carolina Gamecocks went on to win their Final Four match against Texas. Paopao ended the game with 14 points, three rebounds, and an assist. It’s no wonder she’s got a shot at back-to-back NCAA titles. And this time, the Gamecocks are going up against the Huskies in the finals.
Beyond the hardcourt stats and numbers, Paopao has a family that always has her back.
All About Te-Hina Paopao’s Parents and Family
Long before Te-Hina Paopao, but on the garnet-coded clothes for the South Carolina Gamecocks, she was just a girl from Oceanside, California. Her parents, Paul and Diana Paopao, are the architects behind the woman she is today.
Te-Hina’s dad, Paul, pushed her to chase greatness. At just seven years old, she was hitting 4 a.m. workouts with her brothers. Her father believed that she’d have to sacrifice if she wanted to be great, and Te-Hina didn’t flinch.
Not so long ago, in an interview with The State, Paul talked about the same and even said, “There was no fear.” Meanwhile, Te-Hina’s mother, Diana, has been the guiding light behind the scenes. However, there is no question about their impact on Te-Hina Paopao’s life.
The Paopao clan was with her through highs, lows, and even two ACL tears in high school. In addition, this is not just a family that thrives on basketball. It is a sports dynasty. Tina Paopao’s uncle is Joe Salave’a.
Yes, Joe Salave’a, the former NFL defensive tackle and now a college football coach. If that wasn’t enough, her cousin is Megan Faraimo, the softball star. Paopao also has four siblings: Israel, Isaia, Tiare, and Iosefa.
Paopao’s brothers, inspired by their uncle, have moved into playing football. But that didn’t mean they let little sis coast. They made her work for every inch. When Te-Hina went to college, Israel and Isaia followed. The family bond they share is a strong one.
It’s the kind of bond that is built over family dinners and practices. And you can feel it in every 3-pointer and every fist-pump from the sidelines. Paul, her dad, even went viral for that epic courtside celebration during the Gamecocks’ 2024 NCAA run.
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So the next time, the world sees Te-Hina Paopao on the hard courts making big dunks. Remember that it’s the work of the 4 a.m. wakeups, legendary NFL uncles, siblings who never let up, and a dad who believed from day one. That’s the Paopao way. And that’s the story behind South Carolina’s favorite star.
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