Te-Hina Paopao has gathered the attention of the basketball community due to her unnatural calm under tight conditions and her ability to shoot from outside the paint. That’s why Paopao has become one of the hottest pursued talents in preparation for the 2025 WNBA Draft. The 5’9″ guard has been a promising prospect for her shooting prowess and an uncanny resemblance to WNBA rising star Sabrina Ionescu. Even coaches of her respective collegiate teams praise the young prospect for her potential success in the basketball league.
Te-Hina Paopao: Bio, Net worth, Height, Age, Stats, Salary and More

From being a star high school prospect to being a rising college force, she has always been determined to give her best in a professional career. Though she faced certain ups and downs during her college career, she carried her statistics better by soothing her emotions.
Even Oregon head coach Kelly Graves said about the promising talent, “Te-Hina’s skillset is incredible. She reminds me of Sabrina (Ionescu) 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 high basketball IQ.” This article delves deep into Te-Hina Paopao’s experiences with her unusual playing and predicts what could be in store for her in the Atlanta Dream.
Te-Hina Paopao Personal Information
Te-Hina Paopao is an accomplished basketball player recognized for her skills as a guard. She played college basketball at the University of Oregon, where she demonstrated impressive scoring ability and leadership on the court. Her agility and basketball IQ allowed her to create opportunities for herself and her teammates, while her dedication and work ethic earned her respect within the team and the basketball community. Fans are eager to see how she will continue to develop her game in the future. So far, Te-Hina Paopao's age as of 2025 is 22 years, which gives her time to showcase her potential on a bigger stage.
Full Name | Te-Hina Paopao |
Age | 22 (as of 2025) |
DOB | 21 August 2002 |
Nationality | American |
Position | Guard |
Height | 5’9″ (1.75 m) |
Weight | 145 lbs (66 kg) |
Father Name | Paul Paopao |
Education | University of Oregon (Basketball) |
Team | Atlanta Dream |
Te-Hina Paopao Personal Life

Te-Hina Paopao was drafted by the Atlanta Dream in the 2025 WNBA draft. Paopao's gameplay and statistics made her one of the top players. Paopao has Samoan and Tokelauan ancestry. Her uncle, Joe Salave'a, played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League before becoming a college football coach. She is also a cousin of softball player Megan Faraimo.
Te-Hina Paopao Early Life
Te-Hina Paopao was born and raised in Oceanside, California, with a family that gave importance to sports and competition. Ocean Hawaii is the place where she was born and raised, much influenced by her Polynesian ancestry to shape her sense of belonging and determination. The youngest of three siblings, she often is seen on the sidelines watching her older brothers’ games, learning basic basketball skills before she was able to dribble.
Her affinity for the sport grew when she was inducted into a neighboring youth league at six years old. Her parents, in every sense, enthusiastic supporters of her future ambitions, encouraged her to take the sport seriously. During middle school, it became quite evident to everyone that Te-Hina had a natural gift for basketball. Her earliest distinction came as an ability to lead her team during play and make those great clutch plays when the game was on the line.
Te-Hina Paopao Parents

Te-Hina was born to Diana and Paul Paopao. Te-Hina Paopao's parents comes from a large Polynesian family with quite a bit of athletic background. She has four siblings– older brothers Israel, Isaia, and an older sister Tiare, as well as a younger brother, Also, she has been encouraged by Mehgan Faraimo, a softball player and a close friend. Te-Hina Paopao's parents have encouraged her and also her family members, especially her brothers and sisters, to play an important role. She also has a younger brother. Her family has always supported her in all manner in the sweet game of basketball that she has always played with her siblings, including Israel.
Te-Hina Paopao Boyfriend
Te-Hina lives a private life, she only shares about her on-court life and moments with family on social media. There's no information about Te-Hina Paopao boyfriend or any relationships. Te-Hina has maintained a life away from the spotlight, there is no information about her past relationships either.
Te-Hina Paopao Net Worth
Te-Hina Paopao's Net worth is not disclosed yet, her earnings are mostly from her brands' endorsements and her salary from the WNBA. Watching her excel on the court, it’s clear that Paopao will soon have numerous opportunities to earn a good income. Her impressive skills and consistent performances indicate that success is just around the corner.
Te-Hina Paopao Contracts
Te-Hina Paopao contract has been revealed after she signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Dream in 2025. Her contract is worth $217,640. According to the Spotrac, her contract is expected to increase till $305,957 if she stays with the Atlanta Dream for four years. After being selected as the 18th overall pick in the WNBA draft. Known for her playmaking skills and leadership, Paopao is expected to make an impact on the team as they work toward building a competitive roster in the league. Fans are eager to see her contributions in this new chapter of her career.
Te-Hina Paopao Salary
Te-Hina Paopao's Salary has increased after she signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Dream, which includes an average annual salary of $72,547. In 2025, Paopao will earn a base salary of $69,267 and will carry a cap hit of $69,267.
Te-Hina Paopao Personal Assets
There is not much information available about Te-Hina Paopao's Personal Assets. Te-Hina Paopao keeps her personal life private, and details about her car preferences are not publicly known. Information about her personal assets like residence, is not disclosed, but as an athlete, she values comfort and convenience.
Te-Hina Paopao Instagram
Te-Hina Paopao has been able to attract many followers who are around 104k on Instagram, proving that she is famous both in the basketball field. Paopao mostly posts about her on-court photos and videos. Te-Hina shows her lovely bond with her niece, whom she calls ‘twin’. One can see that she is very productive with her Instagram – posting not only clips of her hoops life but also being expressive and vocal about things that are important to her.
Instagram: @tehinapaopao
Te-Hina Paopao Other Social Presence
Te-Hina used to be on X too, but now she has deleted her account. Through her Instagram posts, she not only encourages young athletes but also shares her Polynesian roots and communicates with fans. The fans can see her vivid character and leadership.
Te-Hina Paopao’s Career Stats

University of Oregon was the next basketball destination for Te-Hina Paopao after her LJCD dominance. The 5’9″ guard was even an All-Pac 12 member in her freshman year of collegiate career. It proves one thing that the guard was able to secure her role as a permanent on the freshman team, as per Oregon’s official site.
Category | High School | College |
---|---|---|
Points Per Game | 18.5 | 13.1 |
Assists Per Game | 6.2 | 3.0 |
Rebounds Per Game | 7.0 | 2.3 |
Steals Per Game | 3.5 | 1.1 |
Three-Point % | 41% | 51.3% |
Te-Hina Paopao College Career

- Freshman Season: Averaged 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 39.5% from three-point range.
- Sophomore Season: Elevated her game, recording 13.6 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. She earned All-Pac-12 honors.
- Junior Season: Averaged 13.1 points, 3.3 assists, and 4.2 rebounds, showcasing her ability to control games as a floor general.
- Senior Season: Has consistently posted double-doubles, with notable performances against top-ranked opponents. Till now, she has averaged 13.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3 assists in the seven games she has played.
Te-Hina Paopao has also been instrumental in leading the Ducks to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. One of the standalone appearances from her side that gained all eyes was Te-Hina leading the Ducks team to the Elite Eight during her Sophomore season. However, she transferred to South Carolina University during her junior season. For now, she is currently growing as a senior at the University of South Carolina. Here are the overall achievements of the promising prospect during her college basketball stint:
- All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention (2023)
- Pac-12 Player of the Week (Feb. 27, 2023)
- All-Pac-12 First Team (2022)
- All-Pac-12 First Team (2021)
- Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2021)
Te-Hina Paopao is quite a performer, but her ability to be calm and shoot from a three-point line is what makes her special. That’s where the players witness the guard as a leader on the basketball hardwood court. So if Te-Hina Paopao ever steps on the court, she might be one of the future top leaders for the WNBA league and the league's franchises. Here is a comparison between her stages of basketball development as per the ESPN data.
Her statistical contributions highlight her all-around impact on both ends of the court, further establishing her reputation as a basketball prodigy.
Te-Hina Paopao Achievements
Te-Hina has achieved so much on the court in a short period. Fans are eager to see what she will bring to the Atlanta Dream's upcoming matches.
- She was named to the All-Pac-12 Team during her time at the University of Oregon, highlighting her outstanding performance in college athletics.
- Chosen for the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team due to her exceptional performance during her debut season.
- She has also represented Team USA in international competitions, showcasing her skills on a global stage.
- Te-hina is known for her leadership and playmaking abilities as a key player for her team.
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FAQs
Where is Te-Hina Paopao from?+
What is the ethnicity of Te-Hina Paopao?+
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Did Te-Hina Paopao get drafted?
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Did Te-Hina Paopao get drafted?
Yes, Te-Hina Paopao got drafted in the 2025 WNBA by the Atlanta Dreams.
Where did Te-Hina Paopao grow up?
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Where did Te-Hina Paopao grow up?
Te-Hina Paopao grew up in Oceanside, California.
Where did Paopao transfer from?
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Where did Paopao transfer from?
Te-Hina transferred from South Carolina.
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