WNBA Free Agency: Liberty Ex Stef Dolson Signs With Mystics (Report)

Reportedly bound for the Washington Mystics, Stef Dolson was one of the New York Liberty's first big-ticket signings of the Brooklyn era.

The Washington Mystics apparently put a spell on Stef Dolson.

Per Kareem Copeland of the Washington Post, Dolson is set to sign a multi-year deal with the Mystics, ending her two-year term with the New York Liberty.

Dolson, 32, was one of the Liberty's first major signings of their Brooklyn era, joining the team on a two-year deal in February 2022 after winning a championship with the Chicago Sky. It was a homecoming for Dolson, a native of Port Jervis, NY and graduate of Minisink Valley High School. 

Brandon Todd, NY Liberty

She started all 36 games for the Liberty during the ensuing 2022 season (one of two with perfect attendance alongside Sabrina Ionescu), averaging 8.1 points and 4.8 rebounds. Dolson took a role off the bench this time around after the arrival of Jonquel Jones. 

Though injuries ate away at her impact on the road to the WNBA Finals, Dolson remained a favorite among fans and teammates thanks to an infectiously vibrant personality. Dolson had one last gift for Liberty fans in a Sept. 7 win over Los Angeles, when she came off the bench for a perfect 5-of-5 outing from three-point range. 

"She always comes in and plays the right way," head coach Sandy Brondello said of Dolson's impact after the onslaught. "It got louder and louder the more threes that she made and we needed all five of them ... she's back from injury but she's such a key player for us." 

During last fall's exit interviews, Dolson expressed a desire to stay in New York until the end of her career. Instead, she's going back to where her professional path began. Dolson's first WNBA minutes came with the Mystics in 2014 when she was named the sixth overall pick of the draft out of Connecticut. 

Over three seasons in DC, Dolson averaged 8.6 points and 4.9 rebounds while earning an invite to the 2015 WNBA All-Star Game. She'll now join a Washington group likely destined for a rebuild after losing Natasha Cloud to free agency and Elena Delle Donne stepping away from basketball for a year.

Stef-tember: Dolson, Liberty Stifle Sparks

The Liberty won't have to wait long for a reunion, as they'll open the 2024 season in the nation's capital on May 14.