Fans Salute Dawn Staley's Tight South Carolina Ship Amid Te-Hina Paopao's Hotel Story

Former South Carolina star and current Atlanta Dream rookie Te-Hina Paopao shared the difference between staying in hotel rooms in college vs. the WNBA.

Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Te-Hina Paopao (0) reacts during the first half in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

There's no doubt that South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has built a dynasty since becoming the Gamecocks' leader in 2008.

Her program appears to prioritize accountability and professional-level preparation in order to prepare players for what's hopefully to come once their college careers are over.

However, it seems that some aspects of how Staley runs her program are a stark difference to how the professional level works, which former South Carolina standout Te-Hina Paopao (who is now a rookie for the Atlanta Dream) pointed out in hilarious fashion on Wednesday.

When speaking with the media on May 7, Paopao said, "What's new [between college and the pros] is that I have my own room. I also didn't have to ask permission to leave the hotel, I though that was so cool!" per Noah Chast of ABC Columbia.

"I didn't have to ask for permission to leave the hotel .. that was so cool." 😂

Te-Hina Paopao (@tehinapaopaoo) on the difference in her game day routine from @GamecockWBB to now with @AtlantaDream. Safe to say she's enjoying the perks of being a pro.@abc_columbia pic.twitter.com/NL1SdmPqI3

— Noah Chast (@NoahChastTV) May 7, 2025

Paopao's response has since gone viral, amassing over 130,000 views on X in less than six hours. And several fans are showing Dawn Staley respect for running a tight ship.

"Graduated from Dawn’s daycare!! 😭😔🥹," one fan wrote as a response to Dream player Allisha Gray's comment on the initial video.

Graduated from Dawn’s daycare!!😭😔🥹

— Telicia (Gamecock FAM) (@telicia_webb) May 8, 2025

Another fan added, "She said we really grown grown now. Te-Hina Paopao (@tehinapaopao) and that’s how you know Dawn ran a tight ship. No games being played. They didn’t even think about leaving without her permission. I respect it".

She said we really grown grown now. Te-Hina Paopao (@tehinapaopaoo) and that’s how you know Dawn ran a tight ship. No games being played. They didn’t even think about leaving without her permission. I respect it https://t.co/JA9WbdhSEq

— DayDreamin27 (@j_tamika2) May 8, 2025

"😂😂😂😂😂😂😭😭😭😭😭😂😂😂😂😂😂😭😭😭 dawn runs a tight ship I’m hollering …she was so happy bout not having to share a room and ask permission to leave the hotel you grown now for real baby 😂😂😂😂😂😂," added a third.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😭😭😭😭😭😂😂😂😂😂😂😭😭😭 dawn runs a tight ship I’m hollering …she was so happy bout not having to share a room and ask permission to leave the hotel you grown now for real baby 😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/s5UiPu9ooP

— madam Maziel (@MadamMaziel) May 7, 2025

Good for Paopao for sharing this hilarious hotel sentiment. It would be great to hear Staley's response.