COLUMBIA — When Te-Hina Paopao entered the transfer portal after three seasons at Oregon, she expected to speak mostly with other Pac-12 teams. She never considered that South Carolina women's basketball would be interested.

Paopao's high school coach Terri Bamford broke the news to her that Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley had called. Bamford also coached star Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum and two 2023 McDonald's All-Americans at La Jolla Country Day in San Diego.

"She goes 'South Carolina is calling about you,' and I was like 'Who?! South Carolina?!' Like don't play with me," Paopao laughed. "They just said they needed someone like me and felt like I was that piece that they were missing. Obviously, they're going to bring in other pieces, but I feel like they really needed a player like me who's a veteran, who's been playing in the Pac-12 and someone who's been been through it all."

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Paopao was the No. 11 prospect in the nation for the class of 2020, but the California native eliminated any school on the East Coast from consideration during her high school recruiting process. Staying close to home was a top priority then, but her goals this time centered more on her future in basketball.

"This time around, I wanted to win. I wanted to be surrounded by a culture that can groom me professionally on and off the court," Paopao said. "One of the reasons why I went into the portal was because I wanted to be prepared professionally for the (WNBA), and I know that Coach Dawn can do that and her staff, so that was really a big part of the decision. It's evident that she can get players to the league, so I'm just really blessed to learn that and learn from her."

The Gamecocks targeted the 5-foot-9 point guard for two major reasons: her 3-point shooting and her experience. Before Paopao's commitment, the team had just one senior on next season's roster and returned four players who averaged at least 10 minutes per game in 2022-23.

Paopao started for two years at Oregon and led the Ducks in scoring during their 2023 WNIT run. She averaged 13.1 points points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season, shooting 42.4% from beyond the arc.

South Carolina has a presumed starting point guard next season in redshirt freshman Raven Johnson, and Paopao said the coaching staff was honest with her about what competition might look like at the position. Last season Johnson and Georgia Tech transfer Kierra Fletcher split minutes at point guard.

"I think I fit very well within their system. They're really a great defensive team, and that's another reason why I wanted to go there, because I know they'll help me as a defensive player," Paopao said. "I know offense will come but it's really just having that mindset that I've got to be better as a whole. I'm just really looking forward to playing with Raven and that squad. Coach can put me wherever she wants, I'll be there to compete and challenge others."

That honesty was a key factor for Paopao in committing to the Gamecocks. On her official visit to Columbia, she remembers her family's meeting with Staley and the staff as the moment she knew that South Carolina was the place for her.

"At the end of the trip, we were able to ask her questions, and she was straight up with the answers," Paopao said. "I really liked that her whole attitude is you're going to come in here and you're going to be challenged ... You've got to earn it. You've got to compete, and if you're not out there on the floor, that's your problem."

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: How Dawn Staley, South Carolina basketball landed Te-Hina Paopao