Dawn Staley’s Unfiltered Praise for ‘Gamecock Sister’ Bree Hall Erupts into a Roaring Welcome After Her Surprise Signing with the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries—A Heartfelt Message That’s Sending Waves Through Gamecock Nation and Cementing That South Carolina Sisterhood as a Defensive and Three-Point Powerhouse on the Pro Stage!

Bree Hall—South Carolina’s clutch shooter and defensive anchor—has officially signed with the WNBA’s newest franchise, the Golden State Valkyries. But it wasn’t just the signing that set the internet ablaze. It was the emotional, unfiltered message from her legendary college coach, Dawn Staley, that turned a headline into a moment—and a movement—celebrating the enduring bond of the Gamecock sisterhood.

“That’s Our Bree!”

When news broke of Hall’s signing, few were more vocal—and visibly proud—than Coach Staley. Taking to social media with a powerful video message, she declared:
“That’s our Bree! That’s our Gamecock. Defensive dog. Ice in her veins. Built for this moment—and finally the league gets to see it. Golden State, you just got a gem.”

The heartfelt praise resonated not just within the basketball world, but across Gamecock Nation, where fans flooded the comments with support, Gamecock emojis, and memories of Hall’s clutch performances in the NCAA tournament.

From Under-the-Radar to WNBA Ready

Despite playing in the shadows of South Carolina’s star-studded rosters over the years, Hall consistently delivered in the biggest moments. Her defensive grit, perimeter shooting, and high basketball IQ made her a quiet assassin on the court—and a player Staley has long believed was destined for the pros.

“She never needed the spotlight,” Staley said in a follow-up interview. “But when it found her—she never blinked. That’s what pros are made of.”

Cementing a Sisterhood

Hall’s signing with the Valkyries makes her the latest in a growing wave of South Carolina alumnae making noise in the WNBA. From A’ja Wilson to Aliyah Boston to Kamilla Cardoso, the Gamecocks are establishing a legacy of not just professional talent—but cultural impact.

Staley summed it up best:
“We don’t just send players to the league. We send sisters. Warriors. Leaders. Bree Hall is that. And now the world will know.”

A Roaring Welcome Awaits

The Golden State Valkyries, entering their debut season with bold colors and even bolder ambitions, couldn’t have picked a better representative of what it means to rise quietly—and strike fiercely. Bree Hall fits their identity like a glove, and fans in the Bay Area are already buzzing about her defensive upside and smooth three-point stroke.

As the Valkyries continue to build their inaugural roster, Hall’s surprise addition may be a cornerstone move—one that speaks not only to strategy but to spirit.

Dawn Staley Gets Unfortunate Recruiting News on Saturday

Kentucky’s class for 2026 picked up a major boost on Saturday when five-star small forward Savvy Swords revealed her commitment to the Wildcats.

A 6-foot-1 prospect from Glen Head, New York, Swords chose Lexington over a final list that included Notre Dame, Michigan, UCLA and Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks.

Swords arrives as one of the nation’s top wings, ranked No. 11 in the class of 2026 by On3 and carrying a reputation for two-way impact that should translate immediately in SEC play under Coach Kenny Brooks.

Shortly after the news broke, Swords took to Instagram to formally announce her decision, posting with the caption, “Big blue businessLet’s work #commited.”

Savvy is the younger sister of Michigan’s Syla Swords, who is coming off her first season with the Wolverines in which she averaged 16 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals across 33 games.

She earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament team, second team All-Big Ten and was a Freshman All-American.

Savvy, meanwhile, spent last season with Long Island Lutheran in Glen Head, New York and now joins four-star point guard Maddyn Greenway to give the Wildcats two of the most coveted backcourt and wing recruits in the country.

Staley, a four-time Naismith Coach of the Year and three-time NCAA champion, has consistently stocked Columbia with elite talent.

She has won nine SEC regular-season titles, nine SEC tournament crowns and a Final Four berth in each of the last five seasons.

On Saturday, however, she was dealt a major loss in the recruiting portal.