By John "Woods" Armwood III
At the 2025 McDonald's All-American Game in Brooklyn, Los Angeles Sparks standout and former Tennessee Lady Vol Rickea Jackson shared her enthusiasm for the future of Tennessee women's basketball. Jackson, who has closely followed the program's developments, expressed particular excitement about the incoming freshman class, especially the dynamic twin guards from New Jersey, Mia and Mya Pauldo.
“I’m so excited to see the twins going there [Mya & Mia Pauldo],” Jackson said optimistically. “I’ve been seeing them on social media, and I’ve met them a couple of times as well. They’re just great people, walking buckets, could shoot their butts off, and you can tell they’re just fun to be around.”
The Pauldo twins have made significant impressions in high school basketball. Mia, a five-star point guard, and Mya, a four-star guard, both played at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, New Jersey. Their commitment to Tennessee marks a significant addition to the Lady Vols' roster. Notably, Mia Pauldo was named to the McDonald's All-American Game roster, representing the East team.
"We know we're the best backcourt duo out here," the twins said in the video. "Off the court we're continuing to grow the game while providing opportunities for the next generation of hoopers. And just like the GOATs before us, we're game-changers, and that's why we're committed to Tennessee, home of the Lady Vols. Tennessee is the home of legends, and there's no better place to call home and continue our journey. So here's to the next chapter. It's time to bring a natty back to Vol Nation."
A Bright Future for Tennessee Women's Basketball
The Tennessee Lady Vols women's basketball program has secured its highest-ranked recruiting class since 2017, which is ranked No. 2 nationally. This 2025 class, under first-year coach Kim Caldwell, includes standouts like Mia and Mya Pauldo, Deniya Prawl, Jaida Civil, and Lauren Hurst. The class is considered a major step in rebuilding the program's reputation as a national powerhouse.
In just three seasons, Mia Pauldo has logged 1,640 points, 444 assists, 402 rebounds and 272 steals. She averaged 19.9 points, 5.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 steals as a junior. Mya Pauldo averaged 14.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals. She has amassed 1,139 points, 374 assists, 311 rebounds and 231 steals in her career.