It was a moment so many young athletes dream of, and for Te-Hina Paopao, it's a moment she won't forget.
Several close family members and friends of the Oceanside native packed into the El Corazon Senior Center for her WNBA Draft watch party on Monday night — all with eyes and ears ready to hear her name called.
"That moment was just pure enjoyment and pure peace,” Te-Hina said as she described her emotions in that special moment. "First thought of my family because they've helped me so much in this process and this journey. I've just
The Atlanta Dream selected the standout guard with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The simple sentence by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent the entire room into a frenzy as they celebrated the latest milestone in Te-Hina's already decorated basketball career.
“I didn't have a female Samoan basketball player growing up, so being able to be that, maybe that's someone for them; it just brings warm to my heart," she said.
What made the moment even more special for Te-Hina was that it was spent in her hometown with a room full of loved ones who have been there for her from the start.
"I just wish people could experience that family love because it's different," Te-Hina said. "I've been fortunate enough to experience that every day and today it was just a special day and it's just a lifetime opportunity that I was able to cherish with them."
It's something her dad, Paul Paopao, has praised his daughter for before.
“Well, knowing the grind and the sacrifices and everything that was made to get to this point, it speaks volumes to what could happen,” Paul said.
In 2024, fresh off her National Championship with the University of South Carolina Lady Gamecocks, Te-Hina's dad told ABC 10News her resilience and faith has made all the difference.
But as Te-Hina said, "The job's not done."
"I just got my job today, so I just got to keep my job and just be able to be an inspiration to not onl Samoan girls but people all around," she said. "I want to be able to do that and motivate them through Christ Jesus and I just hope that they know that I'm a follower and that I give it all to the glory of God."
