Storm signed Stefanie Dolson to be mentor. She's been key contributor

Stefanie Dolson has done this before.

The team is new, but her role is familiar.

Considering her age and the Storm's recent draft picks, there's little to suggest the 34-year-old Dolson, who signed a one-year deal worth $750,000 as a free agent, is their long-term answer at center.

Primarily, the 13-year WNBA veteran was brought on to serve as a mentor for Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 overall draft pick last year, and Awa Fam, the No. 3 overall draft pick this year.

And yet, where would the Storm be without Dolson's on-court contributions?

"I came here to play, so I'm excited to be able to do that," said Dolson, who has started every game and ranks third on the team in minutes played. "Definitely a little bit more minutes than I was expecting, but I'm just trying to play my game."

The 6-foot-5 center has been more than a placeholder in the post while the 20-year-old Malonga recovers from a concussion that's caused her to miss the last five games and the 19-year-old Fam gets adjusted after a delayed WNBA debut on Sunday.

After three weeks, she's averaging 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists, which mirrors her career average split 8.3/4.4/1.8. She's shooting 51.5% from the field, 37.5% on three-pointers and 90% on free throws.

Dolson's best ability has been availability, which has been invaluable on a team that's been ravaged by frontcourt injuries and is still missing standout forward Ezi Magbegor (foot). She is expected to sit out at least another three weeks.

Dolson drew raves after delivering a vintage performance Sunday when she was 3 for 3 from the field, 2 for 2 on three-pointers and 8 for 8 on free throws for a season-high-tying 16 points during a 97-85 win against the Washington Mystics.

"Stef has been huge," coach Sonia Raman said. "She was perfect from the field. We should have got her more shots even. But her leadership, her court sense, just knowing where to be, I think that's just a really big benefit to all of her teammates. Just her ability to space the floor as well as a versatile big is really useful for us in terms of our offensive spacing."

Dolson's limitations were apparent three days later in the rematch against the Mystics when she was held scoreless for the first time this season on 0-for-3 shooting during a 78-64 loss on Wednesday.

"We're still learning (about) each other and how to play with each other," Dolson said. "For me, just trying to do what I'm good at, which is screening, rolling, playing good defense and just making an impact."

Statistically, Dolson is outpacing her performance in 2025 when she averaged 3.7 points and 1.9 rebounds while starting 14 of 43 games with the Mystics.

Back then, she mentored All-Star rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron and promising center Shakira Austin, who comprised the nucleus of a Mystics team that was 16-28.

"Last season in DC, there was a lot of young guys, too," Dolson said. "I think we had five rookies, but it's something that I'm just used to at this point, being the oldest."

Dolson, who was selected No. 6 overall in the 2014 WNBA draft out of UConn, is one of 14 players in the league who is at least 34 years old and ranks sixth among active players in games played at 384.

"The other day, Flau'jae (Johnson) asked me when I was born," Dolson said smiling. "I said 1992 and she goes: ‘Eighty-two!' I go, ‘Relax.' … Being around these young guys, it's fun for me. I enjoy leading them and playing with them."

It remains to be seen how Dolson, an All-Star in 2015 and 2017 and WNBA champion in 2021 with the Chicago Sky, who is affectionately nicknamed ‘Big Mama Stef,' will mentor Malonga and Fam.

"Just talk to them," Dolson said. "Ask them whatever they need. Awa, obviously, just got here, so she's had a lot thrown in her all at once. So, I just have been telling her if she needs anything, just to let me know. Dom, the same thing. Wherever she needs me, I got her. I just try to light a little fire under her during games. She knows that I believe in her and excited to play with her."

Like her two-year stint in Washington, Dolson is tasked to help navigate the Storm through what is expected to be a difficult season.

In 2024, the Mystics started 0-12 and were 6-22 before finding they're footing and winning eight of the final 12 games to finish 14-26.

"A big thing for me is positivity," Dolson said. "Losing games is tough, but you have to stay positive, otherwise things can spiral. So, I've just brought that experience here and wherever I go."

Following a four-game homestand that included splits against the Connecticut Sun and Mystics, the Storm (3-5) return to Canada for Saturday's 10 a.m. PT game against the Toronto Tempo (4-4), who won the first matchup 86-73 on May 13.

"To be able to be home and have some good wins under our belt now is going to give us a little bit more confidence going on the road this time," Dolson said. "We've learned already so much more about ourselves and how we want to play, so we can bring that on the road as well.

"I'm excited to go on the road."

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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 9:35 AM.