Live from Columbia, S.C. – Three South Carolina guards have been recognized among the nation’s best, earning spots on the Dawn Staley Award Late-Season Watch List. Te-Hina Paopao, Raven Johnson, and MiLaysia Fulwiley were named to the prestigious 17-player list, further cementing their impact on the Gamecocks’ success this season.
The award, named after South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, honors the top guard in women’s college basketball—one who embodies excellence in ball-handling, scoring, passing, defense, and leadership, just as Staley did throughout her legendary career.
A Trio of Gamecock Stars
- MiLaysia Fulwiley, a sophomore sensation, has been electric this season. Averaging 11.5 points per game, she has stepped up significantly in SEC play, where she’s putting up 13.1 points per game. She’s been in double figures 16 times this season, including in her last six outings. Fulwiley also ranks eighth in the SEC with 2.00 steals per game, 10th in free throw percentage (.830), and 11th in blocks per game (1.00).
- Raven Johnson, the redshirt junior, is South Carolina’s primary facilitator, leading the team with 3.0 assists per game. Her 3.00 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks second in the SEC and eighth nationally, and she holds the best mark in SEC play at 3.64. Defensively, she’s just as impressive, averaging 1.83 steals per SEC game, placing her 10th in the conference. She’s also recorded three games with five or more steals this season.
- Te-Hina Paopao, the senior leader of the backcourt, has been South Carolina’s stabilizing force. She averages 10.4 points per game but steps up in big moments, putting up 11.4 points per game against ranked opponents. Paopao is also shooting 48.1% from the field and 41.1% from three in those matchups. She contributes 2.8 assists per game while ranking eighth in the SEC with a 1.90 assist-to-turnover ratio and 15th in the conference with 1.75 made threes per game.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Gamecocks have a strong history with this award, with Tiffany Mitchell (2015) and Tyasha Harris (2020) both taking home the honor in past seasons. Paopao was a top-five finalist last season and looks to take the next step this year.
What’s Next?
The award finalists will be announced in mid-March, with the winner revealed during Final Four weekend in April. Meanwhile, No. 6 South Carolina is set to continue its SEC dominance, returning to Colonial Life Arena on Thursday to face Arkansas at 7 p.m.
Stay tuned for more updates as Paopao, Johnson, and Fulwiley continue their push for national recognition while leading the Gamecocks through the season’s final stretch.
