DavidinNaples
11 is way better than 2..!! :)
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At 6 foot 5 inches tall, it is exceedingly hard not to notice Stefanie Dolson. Whether on the basketball court, passing along a cafeteria lunch line or walking through an airport, Dolson stands out in a world of under six foot men and women. Even her twitter handle of "Big momma Stef" acknowledges her physical stature. During her 3 year career at UConn, Stef has shown remarkably consistent play, coupled with steady improvement. But despite her size and excellent play, many consider Dolson "under appreciated", perhaps because she followed All-World center Tina Charles and played beside All-Americans Maya Moore, KML and now Breanna Stewart.
Dolson was recruited out of Minisink High School in Port Jervis, New York after averaging 23 points, 18 rebounds and 5 blocks during her Senior year. Blue Star ranked her the 24th best recruit in the country. ESPN Hoopsgurlz placed her 39th and rated her as the "second best center in the country". Her freshman year, Dolson started 36 of 38 games, a rarity at UConn, and averaged a respectable 10.2 pts per game. She was 3rd on the team in rebounding, tied for first in blocks (with Maya) and had decent assist and turnover totals of 60 and 78. She made the Big East All-Rookie Team.
From her freshman season through last year's N.C. run, Dolson's statistics show incredible consistency and stair step improvement. Her scoring average has risen from 10.2 to 10.4 to 13.6 pts per game. Rebounds moved from 6.1 to 6.0 to 7.1 per game. While Dolson's field goal and free throw percentages have stayed at 60% and 80% for all three years, several categories have improved dramatically. Her assist totals nearly doubled from 60 to 117 last year. Her steals did double from 20 to 40, while her blocks went up 26%, from 46 to 58. Dolson's free throw attempts, a testament to how hard she works under the basket and how hard she has become to guard, jumped from 76 in 2010 to 103 this year. (Second to Stewart at 112.) Her efforts were rewarded at the end of the season with inclusion on larger All-American teams. But A.P. placed her on the All-American 3rd team. Stef was once again considered the "second best center in the country", this time to B. Griner.
If Dolson is "under appreciated", it isn't by the UConn coaching staff. Geno has repeatedly said the offense works best when it goes through Stef, which is remarkable because she is 6'5" and a center. Her 117 assists, behind only guards, are proof of Geno's faith. CD's work with Dolson has produced improved "low post moves" and a sweet left handed bank shot. To round things out, after going 0-3 from 3 pt land in her first two years, Dolson went 8-19 (42%) on 3's this past year.
Observing Stefanie away from the basketball court, even for 5 minutes, reveals she is more than just a "team leader". She is the personality and sense of humor of the UConn women's team. The younger players orbit around her like planets around the sun, watching for direction on where to go or how to act. At the tournament in the Virgin Islands, the girls stood around nervously at the poolside banquet waiting for Stef to arrive and point to the tables she decided UConn should occupy. When the native limbo dancers wanted audience participation, up jumped Dolson, resplendent in a colorful cocktail dress and high heels. The team laughed and cheered as she mimicked the dancers perfectly on several passes under the bar. Clearly, Stef is loved, respected and appreciated by her team mates.
Is it possible Dolson is "under appreciated" by the UConn fan base? Not likely, especially after her performance in New Orleans during the N.C. run. Playing despite painful injuries to both legs, Stef limped up and down the court without complaint or drama. In the final two games, against N.D. And Louisville, she logged 55 minutes, scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked 7 shots and passed for 8 assists. UConn fans would have understood if she had been unable to play due to her injuries. Instead, she re-enacted the role of Willis Reed and brought home the 8th National Championship.
Well regarded out of high school, Dolson was not the #1 recruit of her class. In fact, she was not in the top 10 or even considered the best player at her position. Since coming to UConn, all Stef has done is start 112 of 114 games, score 1,299 points on 60% shooting, collect 730 rebounds, dole out 243 assists and reject 161 shots. She has been a warrior and consistent star for 3 years at UConn. With perhaps her best season still to come, Dolson is poised to lead her team on its quest for a record 9th N.C. Some may not agree, but Stef is truly appreciated and loved by team mates, coaches and UConn fans everywhere. Go Huskies..!!
Dolson was recruited out of Minisink High School in Port Jervis, New York after averaging 23 points, 18 rebounds and 5 blocks during her Senior year. Blue Star ranked her the 24th best recruit in the country. ESPN Hoopsgurlz placed her 39th and rated her as the "second best center in the country". Her freshman year, Dolson started 36 of 38 games, a rarity at UConn, and averaged a respectable 10.2 pts per game. She was 3rd on the team in rebounding, tied for first in blocks (with Maya) and had decent assist and turnover totals of 60 and 78. She made the Big East All-Rookie Team.
From her freshman season through last year's N.C. run, Dolson's statistics show incredible consistency and stair step improvement. Her scoring average has risen from 10.2 to 10.4 to 13.6 pts per game. Rebounds moved from 6.1 to 6.0 to 7.1 per game. While Dolson's field goal and free throw percentages have stayed at 60% and 80% for all three years, several categories have improved dramatically. Her assist totals nearly doubled from 60 to 117 last year. Her steals did double from 20 to 40, while her blocks went up 26%, from 46 to 58. Dolson's free throw attempts, a testament to how hard she works under the basket and how hard she has become to guard, jumped from 76 in 2010 to 103 this year. (Second to Stewart at 112.) Her efforts were rewarded at the end of the season with inclusion on larger All-American teams. But A.P. placed her on the All-American 3rd team. Stef was once again considered the "second best center in the country", this time to B. Griner.
If Dolson is "under appreciated", it isn't by the UConn coaching staff. Geno has repeatedly said the offense works best when it goes through Stef, which is remarkable because she is 6'5" and a center. Her 117 assists, behind only guards, are proof of Geno's faith. CD's work with Dolson has produced improved "low post moves" and a sweet left handed bank shot. To round things out, after going 0-3 from 3 pt land in her first two years, Dolson went 8-19 (42%) on 3's this past year.
Observing Stefanie away from the basketball court, even for 5 minutes, reveals she is more than just a "team leader". She is the personality and sense of humor of the UConn women's team. The younger players orbit around her like planets around the sun, watching for direction on where to go or how to act. At the tournament in the Virgin Islands, the girls stood around nervously at the poolside banquet waiting for Stef to arrive and point to the tables she decided UConn should occupy. When the native limbo dancers wanted audience participation, up jumped Dolson, resplendent in a colorful cocktail dress and high heels. The team laughed and cheered as she mimicked the dancers perfectly on several passes under the bar. Clearly, Stef is loved, respected and appreciated by her team mates.
Is it possible Dolson is "under appreciated" by the UConn fan base? Not likely, especially after her performance in New Orleans during the N.C. run. Playing despite painful injuries to both legs, Stef limped up and down the court without complaint or drama. In the final two games, against N.D. And Louisville, she logged 55 minutes, scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked 7 shots and passed for 8 assists. UConn fans would have understood if she had been unable to play due to her injuries. Instead, she re-enacted the role of Willis Reed and brought home the 8th National Championship.
Well regarded out of high school, Dolson was not the #1 recruit of her class. In fact, she was not in the top 10 or even considered the best player at her position. Since coming to UConn, all Stef has done is start 112 of 114 games, score 1,299 points on 60% shooting, collect 730 rebounds, dole out 243 assists and reject 161 shots. She has been a warrior and consistent star for 3 years at UConn. With perhaps her best season still to come, Dolson is poised to lead her team on its quest for a record 9th N.C. Some may not agree, but Stef is truly appreciated and loved by team mates, coaches and UConn fans everywhere. Go Huskies..!!
