From Dorm Room Dreams to Tournament Showdown: Paopao and Parrish’s Unlikely Reunion
Columbia, South Carolina — The echoes of late-night conversations in a shared dorm room once painted a picture of shared triumph, of hoisting the coveted NCAA women’s basketball national championship trophy together. But life, as it often does, has taken an unexpected turn. Now, only one of them will have the opportunity to pursue that elusive dream, a dream that once seemed so attainable, so shared.
South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao and Indiana’s Sydney Parrish, former teammates and roommates at Oregon, find themselves on opposite sides of the court, their bond tested by the fierce competition of the NCAA Tournament. Their journey has been one of shared dreams, unfulfilled potential, and ultimately, separate paths forged through the transfer portal. Three years and two transfers later, their paths converge once more, this time as adversaries, as No. 1 South Carolina and No. 9 Indiana battle to keep their seasons alive, their stories from reaching an untimely end.
The reunion, while fleeting, carries a weight of emotion, of shared history, and of mutual respect. Parrish revealed that Paopao was the first to reach out after the Selection Sunday announcement, a testament to the enduring connection that transcends team allegiances.
"It’s special to have somebody on the other side of the court," Parrish said, her voice tinged with a mixture of anticipation and sentimentality. "At the end of the day, she is one of my best friends." The depth of their bond was evident even during Indiana’s first-round victory against Utah. After Parrish drew an and-one foul, Paopao, watching from the baseline, couldn’t suppress her competitive instincts, letting out a celebratory yell. But then, their eyes met, and the moment transformed into a shared laugh, a brief reminder of the camaraderie that still exists beneath the surface of competition.
Both players arrived at Oregon with immense promise, highly touted recruits expected to lead the Ducks to new heights. Parrish, an Indiana native and the eighth-ranked recruit in the 2020 class, felt the pull of home after two seasons, transferring back to her roots. Paopao, ranked No. 11 in the same class, followed suit a season later, finding a new home at South Carolina under the guidance of head coach Dawn Staley. Despite the geographical distance and the change of scenery, their friendship endured, nurtured through group chats and shared memories, stories that only old teammates can truly understand.
Summers have been a time for reconnection, for revisiting the shared experiences that defined their early college years. The lake in Eugene, Oregon, became a familiar meeting place, a sanctuary where they could reminisce with others from their recruiting class. "We’d always get a cup of coffee or a lemonade, like every day, and just relax," Paopao recalled with a smile, the memories clearly bringing her joy.
At South Carolina, Paopao has blossomed, finding a balance between poise and efficiency. She ranks third on the team in 3-point percentage (37.2%) and contributes 9.7 points and 3 assists per game. In the Gamecocks’ dominant first-round victory over Tennessee Tech, she showcased her versatility, scoring 9 points, dishing out 2 assists, and adding a steal and a block in just 18 minutes of play.
Parrish, now a senior at Indiana, has become a reliable presence for the Hoosiers, averaging 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Her consistency and size on the wing provide a valuable dimension to the team. In the win against Utah, she filled the stat sheet with 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, demonstrating her all-around impact.
Last year, the two friends faced off in the NCAA Sweet 16, a game that showcased the competitive spirit of both teams. Indiana mounted a furious comeback from a 22-point deficit, narrowing the gap to just two points with less than a minute remaining before ultimately falling short, losing 79-75.
"It gave us a little bit of hope, knowing that we played them so closely last year," Parrish said, reflecting on the significance of being placed in the same bracket as South Carolina.
Their friendship has weathered the storms of transfers, time zones, and intense tournament runs. On Sunday, however, it takes a backseat, put on hold for 40 minutes of intense competition. One of them will be forced to end the other’s season, potentially bringing an end to their college basketball career altogether.
"I think (Parrish) and Paopao would tell you that when the ball goes up, the stakes are a little higher," Indiana head coach Teri Moren said, acknowledging the unique dynamic at play. "You set aside that friendship for that competitiveness they both have."
Both players are acutely aware of the significance of the moment, the finality of the outcome. "Well, that’s sad to think about," Parrish confessed, her voice tinged with melancholy. "Just thinking back to the moment we stepped foot on campus as freshmen, we were 18 year olds who had no idea what anything about college basketball was."
After the final buzzer sounds, after the emotions have subsided, there will likely be a hug, a gesture of mutual respect and understanding. Perhaps even a shared laugh about the time they practiced in pajama pants and a beanie, a lighthearted reminder of their shared past. But only one will walk off the court a step closer to a championship, a milestone they once chased together, a dream they once believed they would achieve side-by-side.
The other will watch from the sideline, her heart filled with a mixture of disappointment and pride, cheering her friend forward, hoping to see her achieve the ultimate goal.
"I just want to see her be great, be successful," Paopao told USA TODAY Sports on Saturday, her words echoing the depth of their bond. "I love her with all of my heart, and it’s always love no matter what happens on Sunday." The sentiment encapsulates the essence of their friendship, a bond that transcends the boundaries of competition, a connection that will endure long after the final buzzer has sounded.
