South Carolina's Te-Hina Paopao drops 3-word praise for teammate Sakima Walker's stylish mirror selfies on IG

South Carolina’s women’s basketball team is currently in the midst of an intense stretch. Te-Hina Paopao's team is facing five consecutive opponents ranked in the Top 25 during this stretch. Paopao's teammate Sakima Walker shared a series of stylish mirror selfies on Wednesday.

The pictures featured the Center showing off her braided and unbraided looks. Walker captioned them:

"this & that 💗"

In response to the post, Paopao commented:

"So beautiful roomie."

Te-Hina Paopao praises Sakima Walker's mirror selfies on IG (Image via Instagram/@sakimawalker)

So far, the Gamecocks have been able to navigate this tough stretch successfully. They are currently 2-0 in this SEC mini-gauntlet and have secured wins against Texas and Alabama.

Te-Hina Paopao’s basketball journey

Te-Hina Paopao’s path to success in basketball has been shaped by her family and her unwavering commitment to the sport. As the youngest of six children, Pao Pao was surrounded by older brothers who ensured her early exposure to sport. Basketball became a central part of her life, largely due to the influence of her brothers.

While talking with the Frobes, Paopao recalled:

"Growing up, I tried a lot of different sports—softball, soccer, volleyball—but basketball was the one that really stuck."

This early passion for basketball led her to play the sport at a young age, starting in first grade. By the time she reached fifth grade, she was playing on an AAU team, laying the groundwork for her future success.

Paopao's AAU coach played a pivotal role in shaping her both as an athlete and as a person. According to Paopao, this coach wasn’t just helping her improve on the court, she was also a mentor who supported her off the court.

During her high school years, Paopao suffered two major setbacks, including two ACL tears, one in each leg. When she joined South Carolina’s prestigious basketball program, her resolve paid off in the form of an NCAA National Championship title last year.