Dawn Staley Beams with Pride as Three Gamecocks Selected in 2025 WNBA Draft
The South Carolina Gamecocks left a strong mark on the 2025 WNBA Draft, with head coach Dawn Staley celebrating the latest wave of her program’s talent making it to the pros.
On Monday night, three former Gamecocks—Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, and Sania Feagin—heard their names called. Paopao was selected by the Atlanta Dream, Hall joined the Indiana Fever, and Feagin landed with the Los Angeles Sparks.
A proud and emotional Staley took to social media to express her joy and admiration for the trio she coached and mentored.
“Thank you Lord! Proud of @GamecockWBB @tehinapaopa0 @breezyhalll @supremenia for being selected in the @WNBA draft. @AtlantaDream @IndianaFever @LASparks yall have some class act human beings and highly tested talented individuals! Let’s gooooo!!!” Staley posted.
A Legacy of Excellence Continues for Staley and South Carolina
It’s become almost expected: if you play for Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks, you’re likely heading to the WNBA. Her program has become a pipeline of elite talent, shaped by a culture of excellence and winning.
Staley, a Hall of Fame coach, has led South Carolina to multiple national championships and built one of the most dominant programs in women’s college basketball. For her, seeing her players thrive at the next level is both fulfilling and a testament to their hard work.
The 2024–25 season saw South Carolina compile an impressive 35–4 record, including a 15–1 mark in SEC play. They secured the SEC Championship and made another deep tournament run, falling just short of back-to-back national titles after an 82–59 loss to the UConn Huskies in the national championship game.
Despite the disappointing ending, Staley will spend the offseason reloading her roster, aiming to keep the Gamecocks firmly in the championship picture heading into the 2025–26 season.
For now, though, she can proudly celebrate as Paopao, Hall, and Feagin begin their professional journeys in the WNBA—a testament to the elite program she continues to build in Columbia.
