Dawn Staley praises Bree Hall’s defensive play: “She’s on my all-time defensive team”

In her remarkable career at South Carolina, Bree Hall has solidified herself as one of the program’s winningest players. With two national championships, three SEC Tournament titles, and a stellar 142-6 record in regular season and postseason games, Hall’s success on the court is undeniable. However, much of her recognition has come off the court.

Her accolades include:

• CSC Academic All-District (2023)
• SEC Academic Honor Roll (2022, 2023, 2024)
• SEC Basketball Leadership Council Vice Chair (2023-24)
• SEC Community Service Team (2024)

Dawn Staley, the head coach of South Carolina, has been unwavering in her praise for Hall, particularly her defensive contributions to the team. Over the years, Staley has coached several standout defenders, such as Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso, who both received national defensive awards. A’ja Wilson and Tiffany Mitchell also made appearances on SEC All-Defensive Teams, along with recent stars like Brea Beal, Raven Johnson, and Sania Feagin.

Yet, Staley holds Hall in the highest regard. “Bree’s an elite defender. It’s elite – the things that she does, the people that she has to guard,” Staley said. “In my 25 years of coaching, she’s on my all-time defensive team – all the players that I’ve coached – because she’s very consistent with it, and she relishes the challenge.”

One of Hall’s key defensive strengths is her discipline. In 35 games this season, she’s committed just 41 personal fouls—averaging under 1.2 fouls per game—all while defending the opposing team’s best players. Her excellence has earned her a spot in South Carolina’s ‘Seat Belt Gang,’ alongside Raven Johnson, a group known for locking down the opposition’s top offensive threats.

“We got the biggest defensive assignment. So, let’s lock the other best players up,” Johnson said after a 66-56 victory over LSU on January 24. “We the co-hosts of Seatbelt Gang. Let’s do this.”

Hall’s defensive prowess was on full display in a game against Indiana, where she was tasked with guarding Yarden Garzon, who had a three-inch height advantage. Hall limited Garzon to just two points on 1-of-5 shooting in the first half. Garzon finished with only four field goals on 13 attempts, and although she scored five points in the second half, four of them came in the third quarter.

Staley praised Hall’s ability to adjust mid-game. “Breezy had to make an adjustment today because she was guarding Garzon like Madison Booker. There’s a little bit of a difference in what both of them can do. We probably needed Breezy to loosen up a little bit,” Staley explained. “She told me. She actually finished my sentence. And then, in the second half, she really adjusted.”

While Hall is not in the running for any national defensive awards this season, Staley believes her contributions have not gone unnoticed. “People are watching. It’s just not the people who will give credit like other people,” Staley said. “Fans and people who really understand what’s happening out there on the floor give her her flowers, and I’m happy that they do.”

Bree Hall may not be getting the national recognition she deserves, but Dawn Staley and those who truly understand the game recognize her as one of the best defenders in college basketball.