"It's not goodbye, it's see you later": Bree Hall, Raven Johnson, Chloe Kitts, college players react as Te-Hina Paopao bids farewell to South Carolina

After a bit part role last season, South Carolina forward Te-Hina Paopao became one of the stalwarts of the Gamecocks this season. However, Paopao's eligibility ran out following the No. 1 seed Gamecocks' 82-59 loss to the No. 2 seed UConn Huskies in the national championship game, and she will head to the WNBA via the 2025 draft.

On Tuesday, Paopao posted a heartfelt message on Instagram bidding farewell to her South Carolina teammates.

"Heart is filled with so much love and gratitude! ❤️ time to graduate from daycare 🤗😂," Paopao wrote.

Te-Hina Paopao's South Carolina teammates Chloe Kitts, Sakima Walker, Bree Hall, Raven Johnson, Tessa Johnson and Maryam Dauda reacted to her message.

"I love you 5L roomie!!!" Sakima Walker wrote.

"It's not goodbye, it's see you later," Bree Hall wrote.

"Awwww, so proud of you," Maryam Dauda wrote.

"Love you Tehina Johnson," Tessa Johnson wrote.

"1 MORE YEAR," Chloe Kitts wrote. "Go be great."

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Te-Hina Paopao was a stalwart for Dawn Staley's team

Te-Hina Paopao joined the South Carolina Gamecocks from the Oregon Ducks in 2023 and was part of the all-conquering 2023-24 team that won the SEC Tournament and national championship unbeaten.

This year, she averaged 9.4 points on 44.4% shooting from the floor, including 37.0% from beyond the arc, 2.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a starter for Dawn Staley's team.

After the game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight last week, South Carolina stars Raven Johnson and Chloe Kitts praised Paopao's abilities and tabbed her to be a coach in the future.

"Paopao. She's so smart," Johnson said. "Her IQ in the game is high and I feel like she's gonna be a great coach one day because she knows what it takes. She's a great leader."

"Te-Hina. She would make a great coach," Kitts said. "She's a leader and I know she don't want to be a coach but I'd think she would make a great coach."

During her news conference, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley was full of praise for the talented guard who was a driving force behind the Gamecocks' March Madness push to the national championship game.

"It is a privilege to coach Pao," Staley said. "That's one; two, when you have three pretty darn good point guards, like, you really can't go wrong. She's comfortable and there is nothing like comfort. She knows the shots that we're setting her up for, she has met us halfway with the ability to defend, I'm really impressed with her defense and then her ability to adjust."

Te-Hina Paopao will head to the WNBA after a stellar college basketball career that saw her win two SEC Tournament championships and one national championship.