The WNBA preseason officially tipped off Friday night with an exciting double-header following an intense week of training camps—and South Carolina is already making its mark.
Three Gamecock rookies—Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, and Sania Feagin—are now suiting up at the professional level after being selected in the second round of the 2025 WNBA Draft. Each is set to make her preseason debut in the coming days, while Gamecock legends like A’ja Wilson, Tiffany Mitchell, and Kamilla Cardoso are already in action.
Gamecocks in the WNBA: Who to Watch and When
Friday Night Preseason Openers: The spotlight first landed on familiar names in two high-profile matchups:
- A’ja Wilson and Tiffany Mitchell led the Las Vegas Aces against the Dallas Wings at 7 p.m.
- Kamilla Cardoso took the court for the Chicago Sky in a unique matchup against the Brazilian National Team at 9 p.m.
Bree Hall & the Indiana Fever
Bree Hall makes her WNBA debut on Saturday as the Indiana Fever face the Washington Mystics at 1 p.m. on NBA TV and WNBA League Pass. Hall joins forces with fellow Gamecock great Aliyah Boston, who won WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2023.
“She’s been very, very helpful,” Hall said of Boston during media day. “Even before actually being drafted … she’s communicating what she thinks I need to do. … I’m just so blessed she’s been able to be there for me.”
Hall’s second appearance comes Sunday at 4 p.m. on ESPN, when the Fever take on the Brazilian National Team at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, home to Caitlin Clark’s former college team.
Hall will wear No. 23, the same number she wore at South Carolina.
Sania Feagin & the LA Sparks
Sania Feagin will debut Tuesday night for the Los Angeles Sparks against the Golden State Valkyries at 10 p.m. (League Pass). Feagin, now wearing No. 1, will face former teammate Laeticia Amihere, whom she played with during South Carolina’s 2022 national title run.
“She’s going to be a great defender,” said Sparks rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker. “She brings the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet … but she can also score. She’s got the total package.”
Feagin and the Sparks will meet the Valkyries again on May 16.
Te-Hina Paopao & the Atlanta Dream
Te-Hina Paopao will round out the rookie debuts when the Atlanta Dream battle the Mystics on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on League Pass. Wearing No. 2, Paopao brings leadership and calm to the floor.
“She is more than a shooter,” Dream coach Karl Smesko said. “She competes, handles pressure well, and calms the team. I’m really excited to add Te-Hina.”
She’ll face off against Bree Hall when the Dream and Fever clash on May 10.
With rising stars and veteran icons across the league, South Carolina’s influence on the 2025 WNBA preseason is unmistakable—and just getting started.
