After drafting Connecticut center Stefanie Dolson with the No. 6 pick in the WNBA draft on Monday, the Washington Mystics acquired Dolson’s UConn teammate, combo guard Bria Hartley, with the seventh overall pick and sophomore forward Tianna Hawkins from the Seattle Storm for veteran All-Star forward Crystal Langhorne. From the Hartford Courant:
UNCASVILLE – For the past four seasons, Stefanie Dolson and Bria Hartley provided UConn with a core of talent and dependability that led the Huskies to four Final Fours and the last two national championships.
Monday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena, the UConn All-Americans began playing totally different roles as professionals in the WNBA. But here’s the best news: They will do it together.
Dolson was the sixth overall pick in the first round by the Washington Mystics, where she will play for former Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault.
And right behind her was Hartley, selected seventh by the Seattle Storm, where she thought she would be tutored by former UConn All-American Sue Bird.
But during the second round, the Storm dealt Hartley to the Mystics along with Tianna Hawkins for forward Crystal Langhorne.
“It’s going to be so wonderful to be able play with Bria again after playing for so long with her,” Dolson said.
“I agree,” Hartley said. “We’ve grown together [at UConn]. We were freshmen together and now we are going to the pros together.”
Dolson said she was thrilled to be playing for the Mystics.
“I am very happy to be going to Washington,” Dolson said. “It’s a great place to live. It’s close enough for my family to come see me play. I looked at the rosters of the teams to some extent, but it really happened so quick. I didn’t have time to think or react after winning the [NCAA] championship.
“I talked to Coach Thibault. He knows how much energy I have. I am looking forward to going there.”
