It's Draft Day!!
The 2025 WNBA Draft takes place on Monday night, and there are three standouts from the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team: Te-Hina Paopao, Sania Feagin, and Bree Hall. Each of these phenomenal athletes could hear their name called by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. If any of these women are selected, it will mark the fourth consecutive year that a Gamecock has been drafted into the league. And a first-round selection will make the third straight draft featuring a South Carolina player taken in the opening round.
Te-Hina Paopao: Projected first-round pick
Paopao helped lead the Gamecocks to a perfect season and the 2024 National title, leading the nation with a 46.8% three-point percentage. She was named an All-American and averaged 9.4 points per game last season. Over her 153-game career, Paopao averaged 11.4 points per game and shot 40% from beyond the arc.
Several mock drafts suggest Paopao as going in the first round. These projections include:
- Yahoo Sports: No. 6, Washington Mystics
- Tankathon: No. 8, Connecticut Sun
- The Athletic & USA Today: No. 10, Chicago Sky
- Sports Illustrated: No. 12, Dallas Wings
- ESPN: No. 17, Golden State Valkyries
Sania Feagin: Rising draft stock
Feagin averaged a career high of 8.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in her senior year. She has a 6-foot-5 wingspan and the experience to make her a strong defensive prospect. Before the national title game, head coach Dawn Staley predicted that Feagin would be a lottery pick; Feagin was officially invited to attend the draft in New York City on Friday.
Last season was a head-turner for Feagin. She was named to the All-SEC Defensive Team, All-SEC Tournament Team, and the NCAA All-Regional Team. Draft projections have her anywhere from late in the first round to second round pick.
- ESPN: No. 10, Chicago Sky
- CBS: No. 12, Dallas Wings
- Tankathon: No. 19, Indiana Fever
Bree Hall: Veteran presence
ESPN is currently predicting Bree Hall as a third-round pick, slotted for No. 27 overall to the Dallas Wings. Hall was a pivotal key to two national championships teams during her time at South Carolina. She averaged 6.3 points and 3 rebounds per game this past season. Hall played 147 games in her career, the most by any four-year player in South Carolina program history.
How to Watch the 2025 WNBA Draft
- When: Monday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: The Shed at Hudson Yards, New York City
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: ESPN App