South Carolina’s *Te-Hina Paopao* aims to inspire young Samoan girls through her new *Under Armour* campaign. Reflecting on her own lack of female basketball role models, she shares, “I want young Samoan girls to look up to me and be like, ‘Hey, she did this, so I can do this.'” citeturn0search0 The ad features clips of Paopao’s journey, including her competitive beginnings with her brothers. She recalls, “I got into basketball because my brothers played it. At a young age, it was very competitive, just because my brothers thought they were better than me.” citeturn0search0 Paopao’s participation in this campaign is part of *Under Armour’s* inaugural NIL Collegiate Class of 2025, celebrating standout student-athletes nationwide. citeturn0search1 For a closer look at Paopao’s basketball journey, here’s a scouting report highlighting her impact on the court. videoTe-Hina Paopao: 2025 WNBA Draft Scouting Reportturn0search6

Live Feed: Te-Hina Paopao Shines in New Under Armour Campaign, Celebrates Samoan Culture

South Carolina star Te-Hina Paopao is proudly showcasing her Samoan heritage in a new Under Armour campaign. The sportswear brand shared the ad featuring Paopao on Instagram this Wednesday, with a message that reads, “This is family business @tehinapaopao is showing young Samoan girls that anything is possible.”

In the ad, the Gamecocks guard reflects on her childhood and the absence of female role models in basketball, sharing how she hopes to change that for the next generation of athletes.

“I want young Samoan girls to look up to me and be like, ‘Hey, she did this, so I can do this,’” Paopao expressed.

The ad also includes clips of Paopao in action, from her games to shooting practice, where she opens up about her basketball journey.

“I got into basketball because my brothers played it,” Paopao shared. “At a young age, it was very competitive, just because my brothers thought they were better than me. Now, I don’t think they can even touch me because… you know what? I’m not even gonna say that.”

Paopao also reflected on introducing her Samoan culture to her Gamecock teammates. It didn’t take long for them to notice the support system she has, with more than 20 family members coming to games to cheer her on.

“We’re very united, very family-oriented,” Paopao said of her Samoan roots.

The ad highlights Paopao’s journey, both on the court and in embracing her heritage, as she continues to be a powerful role model for young Samoan girls who aspire to make their mark in basketball.

In her senior season with South Carolina, Paopao is making her presence felt on the court. After transferring from Oregon, the guard is averaging 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. She’s started in every game this season and plays an average of 25.1 minutes per game. Her shooting accuracy is impressive, hitting 44.4% of her field goals, including 36.6% from beyond the arc.

As South Carolina remains a top contender, Paopao’s performance on the court and her inspiring campaign with Under Armour are leaving a lasting impact—both in basketball and within her culture.