Fudd Around and Find Out

Episode: Lessons from a Long Career w/ Stefanie Dolson
Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Azzi Fudd, Ashanti Plummer
Guest: Stefanie Dolson (Two-time NCAA champ, WNBA champion, Olympic gold medalist)

Episode Overview

In this vibrant episode, Azzi Fudd and Ashanti Plummer welcome UConn legend and WNBA champion Stefanie Dolson. The conversation dives deep into Dolson’s basketball journey: her UConn days, pro career evolution, Olympic moment, leadership, and lessons for the next generation—especially Azzi as she prepares for her own transition. The tone is candid and playful with plenty of wisdom for listeners on and off the court.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. Catching Up & Setting the Scene

• [02:04] The episode opens with friendly banter about recent games, holiday shopping stress, and Azzi’s impressive shooting stats this season.
  • Ashanti: “Did you know you are currently 50-50-100 right now? …That’s a huge deal.”
  • Azzi: “I mean, I haven’t accomplished anything…Don’t you end the year with that?”

2. Welcome Stefanie Dolson

• [06:08] Dolson joins, updating on her off-season routine, splitting time between New York and DMV, and life with her girlfriend in Queens.
  • Dolson: “Just off season stuff. Training, getting healthy, being old… I literally just work out every day.”

3. Transitioning Teams & DC Life

• [07:31] Reflecting on her move from New York Liberty to DC Mystics, enjoying being near family and the challenges of coaching changes.

4. UConn Days & Back-to-Back Titles

Pressure & Perfection

• [08:18] Azzi asks about the mindset shift when chasing a second championship.
  • Dolson: “Every team’s gonna give you their best. Every crowd is gonna be extra rowdy… So I think it's just about, like, staying connected and still having fun.”
• [09:58] On her senior undefeated season:
  • Dolson: “If a practice went poorly, you know, we had to take it on the chin...being a leader, being seniors… that last game was all that mattered.”

Dealing with Pressure & Expectations

• [11:03] On losing 11 games in four years:
  • Dolson: “I’m like, oh, how embarrassing. Eleven. But still definitely two [championships].”
• [12:15] Staying mentally even:
  • Dolson: “I’m a very free flowing person. I just take things for what they are.”

UConn’s Unique Culture

• [13:19] On what outsiders don’t understand:
  • Dolson: “There was also this level of like seriousness, like the second you walked in. Everything is very regimented and routine… It’s so intense, it’s so serious, but still a little fun.”

5. Olympic Gold: Three on Three

• [14:23] Dolson describes her gold-medal run with Team USA 3x3 in the 2021 Olympics.

  • Dolson: “That’s been my dream my whole life… I was determined to make the Olympics no matter what.”

• [15:48] Experience of the Olympic Village (post-Covid):

  • Dolson: “We didn’t really get to experience the village… But opening ceremonies were just amazing. I’m just out here with my phone… imposter syndrome.”

• [17:03] On the difference between FIBA 3x3 and Unrivaled 3x3 leagues.

  • Dolson: “Obviously for me it was FIBA 3x3… I much prefer just guarding someone from the three point line if it’s a guard than a full court.”

6. Playing in Unrivaled and Adapting to New Leagues

• [21:43] On being part of Unrivaled’s first season in Miami:
  • Dolson: “Basketball was up and down… everyone got injured… But it was still fun to play with new players.”
  • Dolson: “We had all old heads… We were just there to play basketball, enjoy Miami, not get into any other crazy stuff.”

7. UConn Anecdotes & Fun Memories

Ceedee Stories & Locker Room Antics

• [23:01] Banter about assistant coach Chris Dailey (Ceedee), fashion choices, and being the go-to for playful teasing.
  • Dolson: “CD makes you wear tights… I throw in awful things. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
  • Azzi: “Maybe you should try that this year.”

Meeting Drake

• [27:02] The legendary team photo with Drake.
  • Dolson: “He hugged me. And then I saw him again at the ESPYs, and he hugged me again. I was like, did we just become best friends?”

Kicked Out Of The Locker Room

• [28:55] Dolson tells the infamous freshman-year story:
  • Dolson: “I got picked first [to be kicked out], and I was heartbroken… We made our own little board before pre-game… But we were definitely happy when we got let back into the locker room. It felt like a long time.”

8. Leadership & Advice

Balancing Leadership and Letting Teammates Grow

• [32:47] On finding the right balance between leading and letting teammates figure things out:
  • Dolson: “What relationship do you have with everyone?… It’s just reading the room, obviously, and it’s something that you learn.”

Best Advice From a Vet

• [35:07]
  • Dolson: “Carol Austin… told me to be as honest as I possibly can… If something is going wrong, to say it and to be honest about it.”

9. ‘What The FUD’ of the Week

• [39:06]
  • Dolson: “I was on the street in New York City and these teenage boys walked by…they said, smash… I was like, hey, yo. I still got it.”
  • [Laughter ensues: “Perfect. No notes. 10 out of 10.”]

10. Rapid-Fire Game: FUD or DUD

• [40:44] Lively debate over what’s overrated or essential in basketball culture. Highlights:
  • Post players get the worst whistle: FUD
    • Dolson: “Whether we’re bigger than someone or slower…If we just touch a guard…Easy foul.”
  • If a guard switches onto you, you should score: Mixed
    • Dolson: “I don’t like when a guard switches onto a post and everyone’s staring at it…”
  • Celebrating a wide open layup: DUD
    • All: “That’s a dud for me.” (laughter)
  • Talking on defense:
    • Dolson: “FUD.” (unanimous agreement)
  • Every team needs a vet who argues with refs: DUD, with caveats

Notable Quotes

• “Every team’s gonna give you their best. Every crowd is gonna be extra rowdy… So I think it’s just about, like, staying connected and still having fun.”
  – Stefanie Dolson, [08:30]

• “At the end of the day, that last game was all that mattered.”
  – Stefanie Dolson, [10:55]

• “There’s a level of intensity [at UConn] that I don’t think people really understand until they experience it.”
  – Stefanie Dolson, [13:19]

• “I was determined to make the Olympics no matter what, because that’s been my dream.”
  – Stefanie Dolson, [14:33]

• “If everyone’s fake on a team or is like beating around the bush, nothing's gonna happen... to be successful, you gotta be straightforward, you gotta be honest.”
  – Stefanie Dolson, [35:07]

• “I was the tall goddess before there’s all these tall goddesses out there.”
  – Stefanie Dolson on Drake calling her ‘tall goddess’, [28:16]

• “You’ll learn those skills. As your season keeps going… keep learning.”
  – Stefanie Dolson, advice to Azzi, [34:39]

Memorable/Timestamped Moments

• [02:33] Ashanti jokes about finished Christmas shopping (“Budget cuts this year! Oh my goodness.”)
• [06:14] Dolson’s deadpan: “Just off season stuff. Training, getting healthy, being old.”
• [09:29] Azzi expresses nerves and the need to “enjoy” her final year.
• [14:33] Dolson describes her Olympic dream and 3x3 experience.
• [21:43] “We had all old heads… there to play basketball, enjoy Miami, not get into any other crazy stuff.”
• [28:55] The full story of being kicked out of the UConn locker room.
• [39:20] Dolson’s “What the FUD” about being catcalled “smash” in NYC.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a goldmine for basketball fans and anyone interested in sports leadership, team dynamics, and overcoming challenges. Dolson’s honesty, humor, and insight provide a roadmap for young athletes like Azzi, while the camaraderie between host and guest brings warmth and authenticity. The episode is peppered with laughs, life lessons, and memorable anecdotes from both college and pro basketball.