In a matchup that promises intensity, emotion, and a reunion tinged with both nostalgia and competitive fire, former South Carolina Gamecocks standouts Te-Hina Paopao and Sania Feagin are set to face off for the first time as professionals. Once teammates under legendary head coach Dawn Staley, the two young stars now find themselves on opposite sides of the court, each determined to establish themselves in the WNBA. This clash not only marks their professional meeting but symbolizes the continued legacy of South Carolina’s women’s basketball dynasty — a dynasty that helped shape them both.
It’s rare to see a game that draws this much early-season excitement in the WNBA, especially involving rookies. But when those rookies are as decorated, as talented, and as closely connected as Paopao and Feagin, it becomes something more than just a game — it becomes a story of growth, transformation, and competition at the highest level.
Te-Hina Paopao, the silky-smooth point guard known for her vision, poise, and deadly three-point shot, has wasted no time turning heads in her first professional season. Known during her college days for her clutch play and ability to control the tempo, she’s brought that same steadiness to the pros. What’s striking is how seamlessly she’s adapted to the faster pace and elevated physicality of the WNBA. Paopao’s court awareness, honed through years of experience in high-level collegiate play and international competition, remains her biggest asset. Whether she’s threading a bounce pass through traffic or pulling up from deep, she makes everything look effortless.
On the other side of this duel is Sania Feagin, the versatile forward with a high motor, elite footwork, and an uncanny ability to impact games in multiple ways. Feagin’s transition to the professional game has been about asserting her physical presence while showcasing her expanding skill set. At South Carolina, she was often a key rotational player, sacrificing individual numbers in favor of team success. But in the WNBA, she’s stepping into a new role — one that demands more touches, more minutes, and more leadership. So far, she’s rising to the occasion.
The anticipation surrounding their first meeting stems not only from their individual talents but from the shared history they carry. They were not just teammates at South Carolina — they were sisters in arms, molded by the same system, trained under the same demanding yet empowering culture cultivated by Dawn Staley. In Columbia, they fought for championships together, endured the grind of practices, celebrated the highs, and learned from the lows. Their journey was not one of individual glory, but of collective greatness — a culture where sacrifice was celebrated, and where every player understood that greatness wasn’t given, it was earned.
That makes this matchup all the more compelling. There’s no animosity here, only mutual respect and a desire to test themselves against the best — and in many ways, they see the best in each other. Both women have spoken publicly about their admiration for Staley and the influence she had on their development. She wasn’t just a coach, she was a mentor, a motivator, and a role model. Now, they carry her teachings into this next chapter.
For Paopao, this chapter is about establishing herself as a lead guard in a league full of elite talent. She’s never been one to chase the spotlight, but the spotlight finds her anyway. Her unselfish style of play has made her a favorite among teammates and coaches. She orchestrates the offense with the calm of a seasoned veteran, a trait that’s especially rare in a rookie. In recent games, she’s shown increasing assertiveness, taking on bigger scoring loads when needed while still keeping others involved. Her three-point shooting remains lethal, and her decision-making in the pick-and-roll has drawn praise from analysts across the league.
Feagin, meanwhile, has made it clear she intends to be more than just a role player at the next level. She’s embracing the challenge of guarding bigger, stronger opponents and using her mobility to create mismatches on both ends of the floor. Her rebounding has been fierce, her rim protection formidable, and her offensive game is beginning to show flashes of expanded range and face-up creativity. What once was raw potential is now taking shape as a polished, multi-dimensional threat.
When these two meet on the court, it won’t just be about scoring points or collecting stats — it will be about pride, growth, and proving that the lessons they learned in Columbia still hold true under brighter lights. There’s also an emotional undercurrent that can’t be ignored. For all the talk of professionalism and focus, it’s impossible not to feel something when you line up across from someone who once shared the same locker room, the same bus rides, the same battles.
This game is also a reminder of just how strong the South Carolina pipeline has become. Under Staley, the Gamecocks have become more than a collegiate powerhouse — they’ve become a WNBA feeder program, producing tough, prepared, and adaptable players ready to contribute immediately at the next level. That’s not by accident. It’s a testament to the culture that Staley has built, and Paopao and Feagin are just the latest proof points.
They may be wearing different jerseys now, but the DNA is unmistakable. You can see it in the way they communicate on the court, the way they compete, the way they refuse to back down. They’ve taken South Carolina’s grit with them. And while only one team will walk away with the win, both players will leave knowing they’re part of something larger — a growing legacy that extends from college championships to professional stardom.
