Former UConn star and Chicago Sky center Stefanie Dolson told ESPN she tested positive for COVID-19 along with her family in an interview during the WNBA Draft Friday night.
Dolson is the second WNBA player to publicly reveal she contacted the virus following Los Angeles Sparks guard Sydney Wiese testing positive last month. The 28-year-old Dolson, who was born in Port Jervis, said she contacted the coronavirus last month but did not reveal the full details of her illness or recovery.
“This virus has hit pretty close to home. About a month ago, my whole family and I, we all tested positive for the virus, and it hit us pretty hard,” Dolson said. “My mom, she ended up being admitted into the hospital for about four days. She had severe symptoms, pneumonia. But because of the team of healthcare workers that was there, she’s home safe now and healthy.
“So I just want to say thank you to all the healthcare workers out there. What you’re doing is inspirational and amazing, putting your lives at risk for us, and helping the community and the country. I just want to say thank you.”
Dolson starred at Minisink Valley High School and led her team to four straight New York State Public High School Section 9 championship appearances. The 6-foot-5 center was selected to the McDonald’s All-American Game and went on to earn two NCAA championships in 2013 and 2014 at UConn.
A two-time WNBA All-Star, Dolson played three years with the Washington Mystics until she was traded to Chicago for the 2017 season. Dolson had played for the Henan Phoenix in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association this past winter until the league suspended its season in January because of the coronavirus pandemic.
