There’s a quiet confidence building around Te-Hina Paopao heading into the 2026 WNBA season with the Atlanta Dream — and if her recent media availability is any indication, the former South Carolina Gamecock is approaching this chapter of her career with exactly the mindset that made her a fan favorite in Columbia.
Paopao was candid, self-aware, and clearly motivated when she sat down to speak with reporters, touching on her personal development, her growing chemistry with former Gamecock teammate Madina Okot, and what it means to learn from one of the league’s most experienced point guards in Jordin Canada.
Locked In on Both Ends
If there’s one theme that ran through everything Paopao said, it’s that she’s not satisfied. Despite the natural confidence that comes with entering her second season in the league, the Dream guard is treating this year as an opportunity to build on every weakness she’s identified in her game.
“I’m just getting better on both ends of the floor,” Paopao said. “Obviously defense is a big priority of mine, getting extra reps before and after practice. Remembering the physicality of the league, because I know it’s very physical playing against grown women, and so I’m still working on that and just getting in every day and just being the best at getting better — which is our motto this year.”
The emphasis on defense is telling. Paopao was always known at South Carolina for her offensive creativity and playmaking ability, but making herself a genuine two-way threat at the professional level requires a different level of physical commitment. The fact that she’s voluntarily putting in extra defensive reps before and after practice suggests she understands exactly what sustained success in this league demands.
A “Vet” — Sort Of
When asked about her presence within the Dream’s locker room as a returning player surrounded by newcomers, Paopao’s response was both self-deprecating and revealing. She laughed off the idea of being considered a veteran — “I’m not sure I’m a vet just yet” — but quickly acknowledged that her role within the group is evolving in meaningful ways.
“It’s been fun learning and coming into a system that I’m getting to learn more about,” she said, “feeling comfortable and being able to lead the rookies as well, and also learning from the vets as well.”
That balance — guiding those below her while continuing to absorb from those above — is exactly the kind of positioning that accelerates development. Paopao isn’t trying to be something she’s not. She knows where she is in her journey, and that self-awareness may be her greatest asset right now.
A Reunion with Okot — and a Blossoming Chemistry
One of the most compelling storylines surrounding Paopao this season is the reunion with Madina Okot, her former South Carolina teammate who is now also with Atlanta. The early signs of their on-court connection are already drawing attention — including from the reporters in the room.
Paopao was refreshingly honest about the work in progress. “I will say I did miss her a couple of times yesterday,” she laughed, “but I’m making it a conscious effort to get her the ball today — and she got me like four assists back to back to back to back.” The chemistry, she made clear, is real and growing. “We’re going to have a great relationship. She’s really, really fun. She’s very soft, but once you get to know her, she’s really fun to be around. She’s a great sponge — she always comes in wanting to learn and smile and just has great energy.”
Two former Gamecocks finding each other on a professional roster and building something together is a storyline worth following all season long.
Learning from Jordin Canada
Perhaps the most instructive part of Paopao’s availability was her discussion of Jordin Canada, the veteran point guard who has been a steadying presence for the Dream. Paopao spoke about Canada with genuine admiration and a clear sense of purpose.
“Jordin’s a great point guard. Obviously she’s been in the league for a very long time — she knows what she’s doing,” Paopao said. “And I love learning from her because she’s a great leader, a great point guard to learn from. She’s been doing a great job helping me learn from her because she knows I can be great like her.”
That last line carries real weight. It suggests that Canada isn’t just tolerating a younger player watching her — she’s actively investing in Paopao’s growth, and Paopao is absorbing every lesson with intention.
Heading into 2026, Te-Hina Paopao looks like a player on the verge of a genuine breakout. The hunger is there. The humility is there. And in Atlanta, she’s found the environment to put it all together.
