Liberty 2023 Player Preview: Stef Dolson
The New York Liberty are set to embark upon one of the most anticipated seasons in franchise, if not WNBA, history. Fresh off consecutive playoff appearances, the Liberty made several moves that have some observers labeling them a "superteam" that could yield the organization's first championship after over two decades of waiting.
All Knicks will have coverage of the Liberty's quest for WNBA hardware as tip-off looms on Friday night in Washington (7 p.m. ET, WWOR/NBA TV) before the Brooklyn opener against Indiana two days later. With the opening-night roster officially unveiled, AK will feature play-by-player previews leading into the weekend.
Another familiar face lies ahead as the next preview centers on Stef Dolson ...
Name: Stef Dolson
Height/Weight: 6-5, 235 lbs.
College: Connecticut
Experience: 10th season (2nd with Liberty)
The Story So Far
If there's been a basketball trophy, particularly that of the team championship variety, to win over the past decade-plus, there's a good chance that Dolson's fingerprints linger on it.
Dolson has experience winning a basketball championship in New York State, previously starring at Minisink Valley High School in Orange County. While she missed out on a national title at UConn (spending two seasons alongside new metropolitan teammate Breanna Stewart), she brought plenty off individual Big East honors with her upon her 2014 in Washington (sixth overall). Two All-Star appearances, one with the Mystics and later with the Chicago Sky, preceded a lucrative stretch that saw her earn three types of championship jewelry in a calendar year: in addition to a WNBA championship with the Sky, Dolson also partook in a EuroLeague title run and won Olympic gold in Tokyo as part of the Americans' 3-on-3 effort.
The Port Jervis native has been anything but a bystander for the title runs, primarily handling interior defense on the road to the trophy hoist. She continued to fulfill that role during her first year in New York. She might've gotten a tad overzealous at times (leading the Association in personal fouls) but her leadership was well-valued by her new, younger teammates.
They Said It
"I'm just going to continue to be vocal on the team ... trying to lead by example, and just be the best thing that I can be ... We've all had different experiences with winning, losing games, we all have had such different experiences within our careers, that I think that we're all capable of sharing with each other and learning from each other. So I'm excited for all of us to be able to lead and do it in our own ways and learn from each other."-Dolson on how her leadership role changes this year
"She does a lot on the court that doesn't show up in statistics...she's a smart player...of course, I spend a lot of time with her...I think we have a good connection. She's a great passer and teammate."-Marine Johannés
Outlook
Though Dolson was a starting five staple in last year's lineup, it'd be no surprise to see her opening minutes turned over to Stewart and/or Jonquel Jones. But, like Kayla Thornton (a Dallas starter turned depth star), there are major benefits to having a player of Dolson's caliber come off the bench.
The Sixth Woman role is one she played in a championship capacity in Chicago and she can help shore up the Liberty's reserve production, which proved to be an issue at several point of last year's journey. As a leader and someone who's familiar with how New York has succeeded defensively ... and defensive struggles could be prevalent in the early going as the star acquisitions seeks chemistry and freshness ... Dolson's contributions could be most valuable over the first few games.
Previous Previews
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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