Tehina Paopao’s Breakout Performance in the WNBA
Tehina Paopao, a guard for the Atlanta Dream, was picked in the second round, coming in at 18th overall in the 2025 WNBA draft. Her college journey spanned from Oregon to South Carolina.
Throughout her five years in the NCAA, Paopao was recognized for her solid shooting abilities, hitting 40% from beyond the arc. However, during her senior year, she faced some challenges, averaging 9.4 points per game, which might have affected her draft position.
Fast forward to the WNBA season, and it’s becoming clear that Paopao could be one of the unexpected stars of the draft. Just under two months in, she has recorded a striking 57.1% shooting rate from three-point range across 13 games. While such a high percentage might be tough to maintain, it’s not surprising to see someone with her background performing well, particularly in a league that emphasizes three-point shooting. Overall, her field goal percentage stands at an impressive 58.2%.
Paopao is currently averaging 6.9 points in about 14 minutes of play each game and has even started in four of them. The need for reliable three-point shooters is evident in teams, and the Chicago Sky, in particular, could have benefited from her consistent shooting.
During a recent game on Sunday, Paopao showcased her talent with five successful shots out of six attempts, marking her third strong performance in four games.
A new shooter who can light it up! Te-Hina Paopao has put on an impressive display in today’s victory!
She scored 16 points while connecting on 5 of 6 shots from deep, finishing with an 83.3% success rate.
Paopao’s Draft Journey in Context
Interestingly, several players chosen ahead of Paopao have already left the WNBA. For instance, Madison Scott was picked 14th but was dropped by the Dallas Wings before the season started. Similarly, 17th pick Channe was let go by both the Golden State Valkyries and the Dream right after.
Others, such as Anastasiia Khosu and Maddie West Beld, remain with their respective teams but have yet to make significant contributions.
It’s worth noting that early success doesn’t guarantee a long or fruitful career. Other second-round picks might eventually outperform Paopao. Yet, for now, she is definitely making a name for herself.
