“I Will Return”: Bree Hall, Raven Johnson, Chloe Kitts, College Players React as Te-Hina Paopao Bids Farewell to South Carolina
I will return. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗖𝗵𝗹𝗼𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝘁𝘀, 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗧𝗲-𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗼 𝗯𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮…
“I Will Return”: Bree Hall, Raven Johnson, Chloe Kitts, College Players React as Te-Hina Paopao Bids Farewell to South Carolina
As the final buzzer echoes on another unforgettable college basketball season, emotions are running high at South Carolina. One of the most poignant moments came as Te-Hina Paopao, a dynamic guard and key leader, officially bid farewell to the Gamecocks. Her departure marks the end of an impactful chapter—but it also sparked waves of love, respect, and resilience from her teammates and fellow players.
Among those stepping forward with heartfelt messages was Bree Hall, who took to social media with a simple but powerful promise: “I will return.” The words resonated not just as a personal vow but as a rallying cry for the Gamecocks, signaling that the fight, the legacy, and the hunger for greatness are far from over.
Raven Johnson, known for her fierce competitiveness and loyalty to the program, shared her admiration for Paopao. “Te-Hina brought more than points and assists—she brought poise, leadership, and that West Coast calm we needed in tough moments,” Johnson reflected. “Her presence changed the game for us, and her energy will be missed. But we’re ready to carry the torch.”
Chloe Kitts, a rising star with a bright future, echoed similar sentiments. “We all grew with her. She pushed us to be better, to be smarter on the court. That’s something I’ll always hold onto,” Kitts said.
Te-Hina Paopao transferred to South Carolina after a strong run at Oregon and quickly became a cornerstone of Dawn Staley’s squad. Her mature decision-making, clutch shooting, and cool demeanor under pressure made her an invaluable piece of the Gamecocks’ puzzle this season. Though her time in Columbia was brief, her impact was lasting.
For fans and teammates alike, her farewell is bittersweet. There’s sadness in seeing a leader go, but also pride in what she accomplished—and excitement for what’s next, both for Paopao and for the players rising to fill the void.
With Hall’s confident “I will return,” the message is clear: the spirit of South Carolina basketball lives on. And with players like Johnson and Kitts ready to step into even bigger roles, the Gamecocks aren’t rebuilding—they’re reloading.
As one chapter closes, another begins—and the future looks fierce.
