ICYMI: Two Gamecock WBB Players In The Conversation For The John R. Wooden Award

Two South Carolina women's basketball players, Te-Hina Paopao and Kamilla Cardoso, are among the twenty finalists for the prestigious Wooden Award.

Two South Carolina Gamecock starters, center Kamilla Cardoso and guard Te-Hina Paopao, were included on the John R. Wooden Award's Late Season Top 20 Watchlist that was released on Tuesday. The Gamecocks are one of the two programs with multiple players on the list.

It's no surprise to see Cardoso and Paopao on the list, as the two have been anchors for the team all season long. Cardoso has emerged as the team's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging a double-double at 13.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Currently, the Brazilian native ranks 19th in the nation with ten double-doubles. 

In addition, she's shooting well above average, making 60% of her field goal attempts (SEC best) while adding 2.8 blocks per game (7th best mark in the nation). Aside from cracking the Top 20 for the Wooden Award, Cardoso is also one of ten finalists under consideration for the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award List.

Kamilla Cardoso looks to put a shot back up against Mississippi Valley State (24th Nov., 2023) / Jeff Blake | USA Today Network

For Paopao, she has been nothing shy of spectacular from range; currently, she's the nation's top 3-point shooter, shooting 50.5 percent from deep while making 2.6 threes per game, the latter of which is ranked second in the SEC. Te-Hina has been the team's leading score against ranked opponents (five matchups), contributing 13.8 points per game. The senior also boasts a 1.77 assist-to-turnover ratio, good for 24th nationally.

South Carolina Gamecocks guard Te-Hina Paopao (0) drives against the Morgan State Bears in the first half (6th Dec., 2023) / Jeff Blake | USA TODAY Sports

The winner of the 2024 John R. Wooden Award will be presented in Los Angeles in April.

2024 Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 Watch List

Georgia Amoore, Virginia Tech

Lauren Betts, UCLA

Madison Booker, Texas

Cameron Brink, Stanford

Paige Bueckers, UConn

Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina

Caitlin Clark, Iowa

Aaliyah Edwards, UConn

Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame

Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana

Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech

Ta’Niya Latson, Florida State

Ayoka Lee, Kansas State

Aneesah Morrow, LSU

Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina

Alissa Pili, Utah

Angel Reese, LSU

Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State

Jaylyn Sherrod, Colorado

JuJu Watkins, Southern Cal

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