It’s been quite some time since the Indiana Fever began strategically positioning themselves to secure top picks in the WNBA Draft. The goal? Clear as day: rebuild and strengthen the roster through young talent. Remember 2022? The Fever came in hot with multiple first-round picks—No. 2 NaLyssa Smith, No. 4 Emily Engstler. Then in 2023, they landed the No. 1 overall pick and grabbed Aliyah Boston. Fast forward to 2024, and they doubled down by selecting Caitlin Clark at No. 1. So when the 2025 draft rolled around, Fever fans were already bracing for another wave of rookie fever.
But, nothing such happened. Instead, the team had to walk away with second- and third-round picks: Makayla Timpson, Bree Hall, and Yvonne Ejim. And guess what? None of the three has secured a roster spot… yet. But don’t worry—fans have already started campaigning for their favorite.
Here’s where it gets tricky. The Fever brought 15 players to training camp. But under the 2025 WNBA season salary cap of $1,507,100, the Fever’s current salary allocations total approximately $1,394,827, leaving only about $112,273 in cap space. Now, based on current cap constraints, Indiana can only keep 11 players. Worse? Ten of those spots are already locked. That means just one roster spot remains, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle among rookies Bree Hall, Makayla Timpson, Yvonne Ejim, and veterans Jaelyn Brown and Jillian Alleyne.
Each brings a unique defensive edge that makes the decision anything but simple. So, we cannot really count anyone out as of now.
Let’s start with Bree Hall. She was South Carolina’s premier perimeter defender, often tasked with locking down elite scorers like Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd. Her advanced metrics speak volumes—an 88.2 defensive rating and a +5.3 defensive box plus-minus. That’s real impact.
February 20, 2025: South Carolina guard Bree Hall 23 passes the ball. NCAA, College League, USA basketball game between University of Arkansas and University of South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, South Carolina. /CSM Columbia United States of America – ZUMAc04_ 20250220_zma_c04_178 Copyright: xDavidxBeachx
Then there’s Makayla Timpson, a shot-blocking force who averaged 3.1 blocks per game in her senior year. She even broke her program’s single-season rebounding record with 350 boards—a true presence in the paint. But don’t sleep on Yvonne Ejim either. With elite athleticism and high-level defensive instincts, she averaged 1.4 steals per game and earned the title of WCC Defensive Player of the Year.
Then there is veteran Jaelyn Brown, known for her on-ball defense and physicality, while Jillian Alleyne brings years of experience, rebounding muscle, and trusted interior defense. Naturally, the vets have an edge—but the Fever have kept the playing field level, giving rookies a real shot through training camp and preseason opportunities.
And guess what? They’ve delivered, and only one of them stood out, grabbing fans’ support.
After witnessing excellence on the court, fans came up with a pitch!
When Bree Hall entered the court, her aim was clear: make it count. And then she slid into position on the right wing, feet just kissing the three-point line. “Praying she locks in a roster spot,” penned a user.
Her eyes scanned the floor, calm in the chaos. Then—zip!—the ball kicked out, sharp and clean, right into Bree’s hands. Release. The ball spun through the air in a perfect arc. No rattle, no doubt—just the pure snap of nylon. Three points. Well, that was just the beginning. Hall didn’t look back, and fans locked in.
They dove into the comment section and couldn’t help but start pitching for her. “Breezy Hall. Great showing today. Keep it up,” shared one user. And that’s right, too. At first glance, her stat line might not scream dominance: 9 points with 4 rebounds. But dig deeper, and you’ll find a performance packed with poise, timing, and two-way impact that helped tilt the game in the Fever’s favor.
“Even those misses were such solid looks. I love how she closed it out today. It’s gonna be so tough between her and Timpson. I really want to see her make the roster!” added another fan.
Bree went 4-for-9 from the field, and while just 1-for-4 from deep, that one make came at a critical moment. But beyond the makes, her presence on the perimeter was key. Bree forced defenders to stay honest, opening driving lanes for Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. Every time she set up on the wing, Brazil had to stretch a bit more—and that’s how you loosen up a defense. Not just that—she also posted an impressive 44.4% field goal percentage. And notably, all that production came in just 16 minutes of gameplay. That’s why spectators are already anticipating more from Hall.
“I hope Bree makes the team. She played well today,” another user chimed in. No doubt, she’s transitioned smoothly to the W—but her dominance has always been known. That also means she has the potential to contribute even more.
Her discipline on defense is noteworthy. She averaged just 1.2 personal fouls per game in college—despite often being assigned to the opposition’s best players. Coach Dawn Staley once praised Hall’s defensive impact, saying: “She’s an elite defender… In my 25 years of coaching, she’s on my all-time defensive team.”
So, the Fever’s emphasis on enhancing their defensive capabilities aligns well with Hall’s skill set. Her ability to guard multiple positions and her experience in high-pressure situations make her a strong candidate to contribute meaningfully to the team’s defensive schemes.
But is that enough to meet Coach Stephanie White’s expectations? Stay tuned to find out.
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