Stefanie Dolson Bio
Stefanie Marie Dolson is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, she plays the center position and is widely recognized for her scoring touch around the basket, rebounding, and expanding three-point range. Since being drafted in 2014, Dolson has built a career that spans the WNBA, top European leagues, and international competition with USA Basketball.
Across her career, Dolson has earned two NCAA national championships, a WNBA title, a EuroLeague championship, a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, and an Olympic gold medal. Her journey from a small-town high school standout to a championship-tested professional reflects steady growth, resilience, and a willingness to adapt her game to the modern demands of basketball.
Early Life and Background
Stefanie Marie Dolson was born on January 8, 1992, in Port Jervis, New York. She grew up in the nearby community of Slate Hill, where she attended Minisink Valley High School. Dolson comes from a close-knit family; she is the daughter of Steve and Kristal Dolson, and she has two older sisters, Ashley and Courtney, as well as a younger brother, Jake. Family roots in the region run deep, with the Dolson name tied to a 17th-century Minisink-area settler and beaver pelt trader.
At Minisink Valley, Dolson was a multi-sport athlete who also played volleyball. On the basketball court, she quickly established herself as one of the top big players in New York. As a junior, she averaged 18.9 points, 16.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 6.2 blocks, and as a senior she posted 22.8 points, 17.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 5.2 blocks per game. She finished her high school career with 1,951 points and 1,607 rebounds while leading her team to four consecutive Section 9 championship game appearances. Her senior season also brought McDonald’s High School All-American honors and a spot in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
Path to Basketball
Dolson’s basketball foundation was sharpened early through USA Basketball’s youth programs. She was named to the United States U18 team that went a perfect 5-0 to win the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women in Colorado Springs. The following summer, Dolson helped the U19 squad capture gold at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship in Valdivia, Chile, with an 8-1 record.
Those national team experiences, combined with her dominant high school résumé, drew the attention of top college programs. Dolson committed to the University of Connecticut and joined the UConn Huskies for the 2010-11 season, beginning one of the most decorated stretches of her career.
Stefanie Dolson Career
Early Career (2010-2014): UConn Huskies
At UConn, Dolson developed into one of the most reliable centers in college basketball. As a freshman in 2010-11, she averaged 10.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, was named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team, and earned a spot on the Big East Rookie Team alongside teammate Bria Hartley. Her sophomore year featured a strong start and a 20-point performance in the Final Four overtime loss to Notre Dame.
Across her final two seasons, Dolson elevated her game. As a junior, she led the Huskies in rebounding at 7.1 per game and helped UConn win the 2013 NCAA Championship, earning All-Final Four honors. In her senior year, she was named National Defensive Player of the Year, set school records with 371 rebounds and 93 blocks in a single season, and recorded a triple-double of 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists against Oregon. She closed her career with two national championships, a 144-11 record, and induction into the Huskies of Honor.
WNBA Breakthrough (2014-2016): Washington Mystics
Dolson was selected sixth overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2014 WNBA Draft, with UConn teammate Bria Hartley joining her shortly after through a trade. On June 1, 2014, Dolson delivered 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in a triple-overtime win over the Los Angeles Sparks, notching her first WNBA double-double. By August 14, she earned her first career start and added another double-double against the Chicago Sky.
In 2015, Dolson set new career highs in scoring and rebounding and was selected to the WNBA All-Star Game as a reserve. The following season, she erupted for a then-career-high 23 points against the New York Liberty, setting personal bests in field goals and three-pointers made. Her strong play translated internationally as well, with stints in Russia for WBC Spartak Moscow Region and in Turkey for Edirne Belediyesi Edirnespor BK.
Chicago Sky Era (2017-2021)
Following three seasons in Washington, Dolson was traded to the Chicago Sky in 2017 along with Kahleah Copper and the second overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft in exchange for Elena Delle Donne. Her Sky debut on May 14, 2017 produced nine points and two rebounds, and she quickly reached a new career high of 29 points against the Phoenix Mercury on July 28. She finished 2017 averaging career highs of 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Dolson re-signed with Chicago in February 2018 and again in February 2020 on a two-year deal. In 2021, she was a key contributor as the Chicago Sky captured their first WNBA Championship, cementing her reputation as a dependable big who could stretch the floor and protect the rim.
New York Liberty Era (2022-2023)
On February 3, 2022, Dolson signed a two-year guaranteed contract with the New York Liberty. She started all 36 regular-season games and three playoff games for the team, helping New York reach the postseason before a first-round exit against the Sky. She also played overseas for Sopron Basket in Hungary, winning the 2022 EuroLeague Championship.
The 2023 season brought roster changes that limited her minutes, as the Liberty added stars Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones to the frontcourt. Despite a reduced role and an ankle injury, Dolson reached the WNBA Finals for the second time in her career, though New York fell 1-3 to the Las Vegas Aces. In 2023, she also won the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup with the Liberty.
Return to Washington Mystics (2024-Present)
On February 14, 2024, Dolson signed a two-year deal with the Washington Mystics, returning to the franchise ten years after being drafted. With Washington, she transitioned into a stretch four and stretch five role, embracing the three-point shot as a central part of her game. Her shooting earned her a spot in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Contest.
On August 17, 2024, Dolson tied a WNBA record by making six three-pointers without a miss in an 83-99 loss to the Minnesota Lynx. She has continued to serve as a veteran leader and floor spacer for the Mystics while also playing overseas for ASVEL Féminin in France.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dolson is a versatile big whose game has expanded well beyond traditional center duties. She is an elite rebounder and rim protector at 6-foot-5, yet she is comfortable stepping out to the three-point line. Her willingness to develop as a stretch shooter has allowed her to fit modern offensive systems that prioritize spacing, while her passing vision and physical presence remain core strengths.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dolson’s career is decorated with signature moments: back-to-back NCAA titles in 2013 and 2014, a 2021 WNBA Championship with the Chicago Sky, a 2022 EuroLeague title with Sopron Basket, a 2023 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, and a 2020 Olympic gold medal in the inaugural 3×3 basketball event in Tokyo. She also tied a WNBA record with six made three-pointers without a miss in August 2024.
Stefanie Dolson Career Wins
Stefanie Marie Dolson has accumulated championship-caliber success across college, professional, and international basketball. Her trophy case includes two NCAA championships with UConn, a WNBA title with the Chicago Sky, a EuroLeague championship with Sopron Basket, a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup with the New York Liberty, and an Olympic gold medal in 3×3 basketball.
College Highlights
Dolson helped the UConn Huskies capture national championships in 2013 and 2014, making four consecutive Final Four appearances and finishing with a 144-11 career record. She was named National Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and was inducted into the Huskies of Honor.
WNBA and International Highlights
In the WNBA, Dolson won a championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021 and a Commissioner’s Cup with the New York Liberty in 2023. Internationally, she claimed a EuroLeague title with Sopron Basket in 2022 and an Olympic gold medal in 3×3 basketball at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Stefanie Dolson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Stefanie Marie Dolson is the daughter of Steve and Kristal Dolson. She has two older sisters, Ashley and Courtney, and a younger brother, Jake. Her family has deep roots in the Slate Hill and Port Jervis region of New York.
Personal Life
In 2016, Dolson publicly came out as a member of the LGBTQ community in an interview with ESPN Magazine, sharing that she wanted to lead an authentic life and serve as a role model for younger athletes. In 2019, she played on the Away roster during the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 WNBA season, Stefanie Marie Dolson is in her second season with the Washington Mystics after returning to the franchise in 2024. Her expanded three-point shooting and veteran leadership have positioned her as a key piece of the Mystics’ rotation, and she remains a steady presence in the locker room and on the court.
On November 12, 2024, Dolson was announced as a participant in the inaugural 2025 season of Unrivaled, the women’s 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. She was assigned to the Laces, adding another competitive platform to her offseason schedule.
With the Mystics aiming to climb the Eastern Conference standings and a continued role overseas with ASVEL Féminin, Dolson enters 2025 focused on extending her shooting range, mentoring younger teammates, and contributing to a winning culture in Washington.