It’s not that Mia and Mya J. Pauldo are hard to chase. The world around them just needs to catch up. As teenage basketball stars, the twin sisters have been accumulating impressive achievements. Known collectively as Twin Back Court or simply TBC, these powerhouse athletes just wrapped their high school basketball careers at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, New Jersey, with over 2,700 combined points. 

“We complement each other well. You don’t see that a lot with siblings who are out to compete with each other. We like to see each other as on the same team,” Mia said to 21Ninety. 

At just 16-years old, the pair inked a historic NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal with Puma becoming the youngest athletes to do so. Now, the Pauldo twins are continuing their victory lap, setting their sights on their upcoming attendance at the University of Tennessee to play for the legendary Lady Vols. But make no mistake, these young women bring more to the world than buckets. They’re ushering in a new era of women’s basketball that blends elite athleticism with brand power, cultural influence, and sisterhood at its core.

From Jersey to Rocky Top

Hailing from East Orange, New Jersey, Mia and Mya have always stood out—not just because they’re twins, but because they play like they were born to dominate the game. It seems as though playing basketball chose the Pauldo twins, instead of the other way around. The sisters come from a basketball family, as their father DJ Pauldo played the sport before becoming a coach. 

“It runs in the blood…our dad played, our mom played. We picked up a basketball when we were around six years old, and we just fell in love with it,” Mia said. 

With Mia earning five-star recruit status and Mya not far behind as a four-star prospect, both sisters have been racking up accolades since day one. Mia was recently named a McDonald’s All-American and proudly repped New Jersey on the national stage. Together, the duo were just named to the BallisLife All-Americans roster, putting them firmly in the national spotlight. On the court, their chemistry is electric. Think quick cuts, no-look passes, and a sixth sense for each other’s moves. Off the court, their connection is just as tight. The sisters are grounded in family, faith, and a shared vision for the future.

“I mean that’s [Mia] Mya, literally my best friend. We have twin telepathy. I know what’s going through her head, she knows what’s going through mine. We’ve been together since we were in the womb,” Mya said. 

​​They’re Not Just Players—They’re Powerhouses

What makes Twin Back Court so special is their ability to transcend basketball. They’re student-athletes, but also brand architects, social media personalities, and advocates for girls in sports. At just 16, they became the youngest athletes, male or female, to land an NIL deal with PUMA.

“We saw the impact we made on the people around us, and just to see that we had the opportunity to trail-blaze something and be the start of something,” Mia said.

Since then, they’ve partnered with some of the biggest names in the game, from Lego to Overtime, and e.l.f. Cosmetics. Each campaign is another move to push the culture forward and build their legacy.

“We opened up doors for other athletes, but also, like it was another way. We realized it was another way to create generational wealth and just expanded our brand, showing who we are on and off the court,” Mya said. 

Managing Mental Health

Behind the buzzer-beaters and brand deals, Mia and Mya are also passionate about protecting their peace. With the pressure of social media, NIL deals, and elite competition, the twins are intentional about prioritizing their mental health.

“Always having time to make space for yourself. Take a break from some stuff… recently we’ve been just chilling in the gym and inside the house… I needed time to just relax, watch Netflix, and spend time with myself,” Mia said.

Whether it’s through journaling, prayer, or simply unplugging to recharge, the Pauldo sisters are big believers in showing up whole. They understand they are not just as athletes. They are also young Black women navigating high-stakes spaces. Their transparency around self-care sends a powerful message: greatness on the court starts way before you ever play. 

What’s Next for TBC?

Mia and Mya J. Pauldo are now heading to college. As they gear up for their freshman season with the Lady Vols, Mia and Mya are seriously considering the impact they hope to have long term.

“We want the TVC brand to have impacted many athletes, not only in basketball, but in any other sport,” Mia said. 

The Pauldo twins are poised for greatness. Whether you’re tuning in to watch their college debut or double-tapping their latest brand collab, it’s certain Twin Back Court is here to stay.