One of the many effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on NCAA basketball was the granting of an extra year of eligibility to all winter sport athletes. This made it a common occurrence for women’s basketball players to play at least five seasons of collegiate ball before choosing to go pro, a phenomenon that had a ripple effect on ensuing WNBA Drafts.
We’re now watching the final wave of players who took advantage of this opportunity. We’ve profiled quite a few WNBA Draft prospects over the years here at Swish Appeal, and a handful of them chose to exercise their extra years of eligibility after the fact. Let’s check in on how they’re doing now, in their final season of NCAA basketball.
Te-Hina Paopao (South Carolina)
Paopao remains at South Carolina for a second season after winning a national championship with the Gamecocks in 2024. The former Oregon guard made an immediate impact for Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks, bringing an even-keeled presence to the team’s backcourt alongside the dynamic Raven Johnson. She was the best 3-point shooter on a…
