Bree Hall, the former South Carolina standout and two-time NCAA champion, has made her triumphant return to the WNBA by signing a rest‑of‑season contract with the Golden State Valkyries, the league’s newest expansion franchise. The official announcement came on June 18, 2025, as the Valkyries looked to reinforce their roster amid an unprecedented wave of absences due to the ongoing EuroBasket competition sbnation.com+7sbnation.com+7reddit.com+7.
Hall, a 6′1″ guard known for her defensive tenacity and clutch outside shooting, was originally selected with the 20th pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. She inked a standard rookie-scale contract with Indiana in April, becoming one of the three Gamecocks drafted that year—alongside Te-Hina Paopao (selected 18th by the Dream) and Sania Feagin (21st by the Sparks) sbnation.com+1sbnation.com+1. During her four-year career at South Carolina, Hall averaged 5.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, but her numbers masked her true impact. During her senior season, she knocked down 38.3 percent of her threes and earned a reputation as one of Coach Dawn Staley’s most impactful defenders ever sbnation.com+1sbnation.com+1.
Despite this pedigree, the crowded Indiana roster left little room for her to shine. Hall was waived during training camp, becoming a free agent just as WNBA rosters were finalized. Fate intervened when Europe-bound players on the Valkyries opened up short‑term roster slots under hardship rules. Head coach Natalie Nakase moved swiftly, adding Hall alongside former UConn guard Kaitlyn Chen and Australian international Chloe Bibby to maintain team depth facebook.com+2sbnation.com+2reddit.com+2.
The timing is fortuitous. With key guards like Janelle Salaün, Julie Vanloo, Temi Fágbénlé, and Cecilia Zandalasini currently overseas competing in EuroBasket, the Valkyries’ backcourt depth is stretched thin sbnation.com+1reddit.com+1. Hall’s arrival isn’t just a numbers play; her defensive intensity and three-level scoring give the team tactical versatility during a critical stretch of the season. But as many fans have pointed out—testimony to social media—is that the term “rest‑of‑season contract” doesn’t guarantee long-term security. Reddit user “kseveru79” explained:
“It’s an unprotected contract; if not cancelled, will last until the end of the season…call it a contract until the end of the season unless something better comes along.” reddit.com
Other commenters echoed that while these hardship deals are generally temporary, some players have leveraged the opportunity into longer—and even career-making—stints. As “rambii” noted:
“Every year though, minimum one of those ‘hardship contracts’ tend to stick on a team and go on to have a good WNBA career…so yeah, once EuroBasket is over and players comeback it would be sad to see most go, but I’m sure few will stick or get picked up again and be on team next year.” reddit.com
Hall’s situation follows a familiar WNBA narrative: a gifted player needs a break to prove herself. Her college history suggests she’s more than ready. She suited up as a starter for South Carolina during their historic 38‑0 run to the 2022–23 national championship, playing every game and growing into a defensive stalwart who took on the toughest offensive assignments. As Staley has said, “she’s on my all-time defensive team” sbnation.com+1sbnation.com+1. That ratio of productivity on both ends—solid perimeter shooting backed by mental and physical tenacity—is exactly what the Valkyries need during this European exodus.
The Valkyries, in their inaugural season, are navigating the tricky terrain of expansion: building chemistry, managing playing time, and creating an identity. Hall’s arrival, along with Kaitlyn Chen and Chloe Bibby, adds not only guard depth but also a blend of experience and hunger on the perimeter abcnews4.com+2sbnation.com+2reddit.com+2. They bring different strengths: Chen’s court vision, Bibby’s international experience, and Hall’s volume shooting and defensive fervor. And with Li Yueru still out injured and others overseas, Mo Billings—a former Valkyries guard—has had to stretch into unconventional roles . Hall’s presence allows the coaching staff to manage rotations more thoughtfully rather than overextend healthy players.
Beyond the technical fit, there’s a narrative element that resonates with fans: Hall’s path from national champion to waived draft pick to WNBA signee again feels like a story fans want to believe in—underscored by social media excitement. “I’m really happy for her and was kind of bummed she got drafted by the Fever,” said Redditor “AndOneVariable” reddit.com. The enthusiasm surrounding her signing speaks to a growing fanbase hungry for underdog stories and alpha underclassmen rising to the challenge.
Of course, the flip side is that once the EuroBasket players return, roster logjams will emerge. Historically, Valkyries and other teams have been forced to make tough cuts. But there’s precedent—some players, like former Fever signing Aerial Powers and others before her, turned hardship roles into long-term jobs. Hall’s strengths align with what teams look for in developmental talent: a two-way defender with reliable three-point shooting. She also brings the cachet of a two-championship pedigree from a program that routinely prepares players for pro success.
From an organizational standpoint, Nakase and the Valkyries front office have shown awareness of building more than just a team; they’ve been focused on culture. Adding players like Hall, who come from winning backgrounds and understand team-first roles, reinforces that culture. Even if the contract dissolves at season’s end, Hall leaves as an alum of the Valkyries family—with lasting relationships that extend beyond the court.
