Ashanti Plummer (2:11)

Hey, how you doing?

Az Fudd (2:12)

I'm good. How are you doing?

Stephanie Dolson (2:14)

I am great.

Ashanti Plummer (2:15)

I had been watching a lot of women's basketball lately.

Az Fudd (2:21)

Oh big yawn.

Ashanti Plummer (2:25)

And of course I was tuned into your game. My girl. I'm so excited for you. You are playing out of your mind.

Az Fudd (2:32)

Thank you.

Ashanti Plummer (2:33)

Yes. Did you know that you are currently 50, 50, 100 right now. No, I think the exact numbers is, like 50, 53.1, 100. But I remember we talked about this last episode. We were like, you are 0.4 away from being, like, either the first or second player ever to accomplish this. This is, like, a huge deal.

Az Fudd (2:57)

I mean, like, I haven't accomplished anything. Like, that's what it is right now. Don't you, like, end the year with that?

Ashanti Plummer (3:03)

You know what? I'm gonna be excited for you.

Az Fudd (3:07)

Thanks, Ashanti.

Ashanti Plummer (3:09)

I will be. I'm about to get that on a shirt. Okay. That is a big deal. You are killing it right now. I know. The focus is, you know, being with your team, winning games together, taking it game by game. So let me and the fans be turnt up for your 50, 50, 100.

Stephanie Dolson (3:27)

Okay?

Ashanti Plummer (3:27)

Yeah. You've been playing really, really well. It's been super fun to watch you.

Az Fudd (3:31)

Thank you. Ashanti. What have you been up to?

Ashanti Plummer (3:33)

I finally started my Christmas shopping.

Az Fudd (3:37)

Started.

Ashanti Plummer (3:38)

Listen, listen, girl. Work and all these other things have taken control. But, yes, I've started my Christmas shopping. I have some time for awesome time. It's only the. Technically the 19th today. I have a little bit of time. Yes, I hit all. I have a niece and nephew, so I did get them some stuff. My nephew's into, like, trains and cars and dinosaurs. And my niece, she's like. She's 2, so she's into, like, pink and loud noises.

Stephanie Dolson (4:13)

So.

Ashanti Plummer (4:15)

I have gotten her some, like, stuffed animal stuff. And so I'm excited. I'm still working on my gift for my mom.

Stephanie Dolson (4:22)

That's the hard part.

Ashanti Plummer (4:23)

The girl likes the expensive things in life. And so I'm just like, oh, what am I gonna get her to break the bank this time?

Az Fudd (4:33)

That's where you get your bougie ness from. And your mom only deserves the best, so you better. You better spend that money on her.

Ashanti Plummer (4:41)

I be like, donations.

Stephanie Dolson (4:43)

Yikes. I'm like, girl, I don't know what.

Ashanti Plummer (4:48)

You think this is. You know when. So it's so funny, me and my friends say that, like, you can't let your parents know, like, when you're getting paid or, like, if you're doing something new or exciting. Because all of a sudden they're like, oh, I need this, or did you get paid last week? And I'm like, girl, so don't be watching my pocket. But then next thing you know, she'll be like, mm, this is what I get. Carried you for nine months. And I'm like, you're not Wrong. Oh my goodness. How about you? Did you finish your Christmas shopping?

Az Fudd (5:22)

Just about. I'd say I'm just about done. Got a couple things I'll finish up before I go home. And it's a chill Christmas from me this year at least. So. Sorry, family.

Ashanti Plummer (5:34)

Ah, it's a budget.

Stephanie Dolson (5:37)

Budget cuts.

Az Fudd (5:38)

Yeah, sorry.

Ashanti Plummer (5:39)

Budget cuts this year. Oh my goodness. Well, I'm really looking forward to our guest today. A UConn alum.

Az Fudd (5:47)

Yes, I'm super excited. We have a two time national champ, a one time WNBA champ, and a three on three gold medalist. Joining us today we have Stephanie Dolson.

Stephanie Dolson (6:01)

Hey.

Az Fudd (6:08)

Joining us on the pod today, we have Stephanie Dolson. Is it okay if I call you Steph or should I refer you as Stephanie?

Stephanie Dolson (6:14)

Okay, cool. Of course. That's my thing. Okay.

Az Fudd (6:16)

Just making sure. Steph, how are you? What are you up to?

Stephanie Dolson (6:19)

Just off season stuff. Training, getting healthy, being old. Just. I do nothing. I literally just work out every day, so nothing.

Az Fudd (6:29)

Do you work out at home? Are you still like in DMV area?

Stephanie Dolson (6:33)

I go back and forth, but right now I'm home. I'm in New York. I live with my girlfriend in Queens, so. Okay. Period.

Az Fudd (6:41)

Yes.

Ashanti Plummer (6:41)

Big New York. Okay.

Stephanie Dolson (6:42)

Yeah, it's lovely right now with the snow.

Ashanti Plummer (6:46)

Oh my goodness. It's freezing out here.

Stephanie Dolson (6:48)

It is.

Ashanti Plummer (6:48)

It's getting ridiculous. That's the one thing I don't like is New York in the winter.

Stephanie Dolson (6:52)

But I haven't experienced well. Last year I was here but it didn't snow that much. So this year I heard there's supposed to be a lot of snow, so that should be fun.

Ashanti Plummer (7:00)

I mean, there's a lot to do. So I'm excited for you to explore the city, but it's just freezing.

Stephanie Dolson (7:06)

Yeah, I mean, I was in Chicago for a winter that was actually insane. So I think this should be okay.

Ashanti Plummer (7:14)

Yes. Definitely not Chicago, but yeah. So tell us more about your off season in D.C. because before that you, you know, used to be with us, the New York Liberty. How's the transition been over in AZ's area?

Stephanie Dolson (7:31)

It's good. I mean, I was drafted to DC, so I was there for a few years. My sisters live in Virginia, so it's like close to home or close to their home. I got to play with some really great girls. Changing coaching staff was definitely a whirlwind, but it kept it interesting. So it was a fun two years. I'm excited to see what's next.

Az Fudd (7:51)

We're excited to see as well.

Stephanie Dolson (7:52)

Yeah, same. Did you just wake up?

Az Fudd (7:56)

I did can you tell?

Stephanie Dolson (7:59)

Not like this, but I just feel like. Don't you have classes? Like, I'm just.

Az Fudd (8:02)

No, it's a break. Finals week was last week, so we're done.

Stephanie Dolson (8:09)

I'm like, doesn't she have to be in class right now?

Az Fudd (8:11)

No, no, no. I am done. And I'm in grad school, so my classes were at night.

Stephanie Dolson (8:16)

Oh, okay. That's nice.

Ashanti Plummer (8:18)

Let's talk about your time in UConn. So you went back to back. Something AZ is trying to accomplish now. What changes mentally when you're chasing that second one?

Stephanie Dolson (8:30)

I think just, like, the pressure, and I feel like that strive to be, like, perfect in every game. Like, there's going to be some close games, and I think it's going to. Everyone's going to try to rattle you. I think our second season, after we won the first one, it was like, every game, they give you their best, right? And coach talks about this stuff, like, every team's gonna give you their best. Every crowd is gonna be extra rowdy when you play them because everyone wants to be that team to, like, make you lose. Right. Wants to push you down a pedal, a pedestal. So I think it's just about, like, staying connected and still having fun. Like, if you're not enjoying it, then it's gonna be hard to win every game. But. But, yeah, I think for me, it was easier because I was a senior, too, so it was like, the second year was really personal to me. And I'm sure AZ feels the same. It's like, that's the year that's the most important is, like, your last season, and you want to go out with a bang, so it's just a plus. That was like, you won the season before, so you want to go back to back. But, yeah, just enjoy that ride. You'll never experience it again.

Az Fudd (9:29)

So I feel like that's the most common thing I've heard, is to enjoy it. And I feel like a lot of people talk about how, like, it's so easy just to get caught up in things when you're at UConn and, like, the pressure and winning and making sure you're enjoying it and still having fun.

Stephanie Dolson (9:42)

So, yeah, there's, like, nothing else to do. I don't know. You can't. Like, you're not gonna be scared. You're not gonna. Like, you wouldn't have gone to UConn if you were gonna be scared about the moment. You just have to, like, embrace it.

Az Fudd (9:53)

Yeah. No other way. You just gotta accept it. Embrace it.

Stephanie Dolson (9:57)

Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

Ashanti Plummer (9:58)

So your senior season, you were undefeated. What felt different about that season compared to previous ones?

Stephanie Dolson (10:05)

Probably the fact that Bri and I were seniors, so we got to kind of be the. Obviously the leaders, but, like, it started and ended with us. So if a practice went poorly, you know, we had to take it on the chin. If a practice went well, it had nothing to do with us. And you just kind of have to, like, deal with that. You know what I mean? Like, that's just part of being a leader, part of being the oldest, being seniors and stuff. So I think it was just this, like, embrace of just, we have to do this. Like, I'm a senior. I don't care what happens. We're winning this season. And there's been. There was plenty of times that we lost. You know, they'd had seasons before where they didn't lose at all, but then lost the championship. We went through these seasons of, like, losing more games than most UConn's team do, but we still won a champion. Like, we knew at the end of the day that last game was all that mattered, and we just kind of stuck with it.

Az Fudd (10:55)

Wait, you say that. How many games did you guys lose? I feel like I can relate to that. I feel like we. We've broken a whole lot of records since I've been there.

Stephanie Dolson (11:03)

Yeah. Yeah. We lost 11.

Ashanti Plummer (11:06)

Wow.

Stephanie Dolson (11:06)

In my four years, which, like, seems like. Oh, my God, that's. No, you know. Right. I was gonna say 11. I know, but I'm telling you, the years before, they were like. Well, my. My freshman year, they were. They had the shriek. So my first. I think it was 11 games or 10 games. It was like, every game was just this added pressure of, like, oh, my God, don't be the ones to lose the streak. Don't be the reason that you lost the streak. And once we played Baylor and we won and, like, got the streak, I think we lost the next game to Stanford. It was like this fresh. Everything just released. It was so nice. Like, I was like, I can be a real freshman now. But, like, so losing 11 doesn't seem like a lot, but it was. It's a lot. Like, some people win almost undefeated for, like, two and a half years. They lost, like, three games in their four seasons. So, yeah, for me, it felt like a lot. I'm like, oh, how embarrassing. 11. But still definitely too so.

Az Fudd (12:01)

Oh, wait, that's so, like.

Ashanti Plummer (12:03)

I don't know.

Az Fudd (12:03)

It's just unreal to think, like, you lived that. Like, we hear about that. We see it on the Walls in the gym when we walk through Worth. But to hear like, that was your reality. Wow.

Stephanie Dolson (12:11)

Yeah.

Az Fudd (12:11)

How did you stay locked in when everyone kept telling you how historic the season could be?

Stephanie Dolson (12:15)

I don't know. I'm kind of a hard person to ask those questions to because I. I don't know if I want to say I'm never locked in, but I'm kind of like, I'm a very free flowing person. So, like, I'm just so realistic and like, I take things for what they are. And so I think that's just it. Like I was just very matter of fact. So it's like it was easy for me to stay level headed and obviously, obviously I was nervous. Like I still get nervous to this day in every game that I play. But yeah, I don't know, it's kind of easy for me to just stay grounded and like, I don't know. So I can't say that there's like a specific way that I did it. I just. It's just who I am. I just take things for what they are.

Ashanti Plummer (12:57)

I feel like that's your way of being locked in though, right? A little bit light hearted. Like that's your version of showing up as you and keeping it, you know, the main thing. The main thing.

Stephanie Dolson (13:10)

Yeah. Yeah, that's true.

Ashanti Plummer (13:13)

What's one thing people don't understand about playing at UConn that only players can understand?

Stephanie Dolson (13:19)

I think just the level, it's kind of contradiction because it's like we had a lot of fun at UConn, but there was also this level of like seriousness, like the second you walked in. Because I've seen some college practices and it's very. Just easygoing. Right? Like, but then it's kind of like when you go to USA Basketball compared to like, for me, you know, a league practice and then you go to usa, it's like you clap every time you're stretching. Everything is very regimented and routine and a lot of other places are a little bit more free flowing. And I think people don't understand that until they really see it or experience it as a player at UConn. So, like when I hear coaches go and they go watch their practices and stuff, they come back and they're like, wow, like, it's so intense. It's so serious, but still a little fun. But like, you just feel that energy of like, we're in here to get shit done, to practice, to, you know, perfect things. And yeah, it's just like this level of intensity that I don't Think people really understand until they experience it.

Ashanti Plummer (14:23)

Speaking of USA basketball, Steph, you won gold on a 3 on 3 USA team in 2021. Tell us about that and that experience, that was fun.

Stephanie Dolson (14:33)

I mean, I had such a great time. Three round three is, like, just a simple way to play basketball, which for me is more fun. And, you know, it's a little bit more physical, a little bit more, like, kind of mental. It's kind of like a strategic game in a way, too, because it has to happen so fast that, like, you have to make a read as quick as you can. So it was just, like, a fun little change in how to play basketball. And winning gold was, like, an incredible ride. Like, first to qualify, we were so excited. And then to go to the Olympics, like, that's been a dream of mine my whole life. I was with USA Basketball. I mean, what. I'm in my 30s now, maybe 16, 17 years straight. I didn't miss a practice. Like, I was very dedicated to making something right. Like, I was determined to make the Olympics no matter what, because, like, that's been my dream. So when I got that chance with three on three, like, I just. I was so happy. And the girls I played with were amazing. Like, it was just a great, great experience and, like, not something I'll never forget. So I loved it. Obviously, we won school, so was happy winners.

Az Fudd (15:40)

I want to know what the Olympic village was like. Like, did you. Did you get to meet other athletes? Did you go to other games? Or were you so busy with three on three that you were just locked.

Stephanie Dolson (15:48)

In a little bit of all, like, all of the above? Kind of. Kind of. Because one, it was the Olympics. That's the only thing, like, a little bit sad about the whole situation or experience was that it was right after Covid.

Az Fudd (15:58)

Yeah.

Stephanie Dolson (15:59)

So things were still a little bit more separate than like, they have been in previous years. But also USA Basketball, they usually stay separate from the village. So then that was another part. So we didn't really get to experience the village. And then on top of that, three on three, you play back to back to back. So you. You essentially go the first. I think the first week maybe is practicing, and then the second week, you. You just play. And so once we won, I think the next day or a day after we left. Oh, wow. Yeah. So it was really fast. Like, we couldn't even really experience much, which was sad. But at the same time, it's like, I'm not gonna, you know, complain about it because I still got to win a gold and Experience it, like opening ceremonies was just amazing. And like I'm just out here with my phone, like, you know, just imposter syndrome. So the whole experience was still amazing.

Az Fudd (16:53)

I forgot Covid happened.

Stephanie Dolson (16:54)

I know it breaks. It was like five years ago.

Az Fudd (16:57)

Yeah. As soon as you said 2021, I was like, damn, you said that three on three. You prefer three on three.

Stephanie Dolson (17:03)

I don't about prefer, but it's just like, like at UConn, I think it starts you. You learn three on three and kind of two on two and then you put it together. It's like. So I think I learned the game through round three in a way. And so it's just like there's two reads to make, right? Like where's my defense? Where's there? Like that's it. And it's just so simple. So yeah, I think it's fun. I think it's really fun. Cause it's so fast.

Az Fudd (17:28)

So fast. Okay, I have a question. So you've played fee with three on three and then you played unrivaled last season. What three on three did you like better? Because that's two very different kinds of.

Ashanti Plummer (17:38)

Three on three or what's the difference? What's the difference for you?

Stephanie Dolson (17:41)

What do you mean? The fact that you had to go full. Well, partially full. It was like a smaller full court. Yeah, obviously for me it was FIBA 303. I think the first, the first like little exhibition game for unrivaled. I had to switch onto a guard like three times in a row going full court. So I'm like backpedaling against a guard, full court. I'm like, what am I doing? Why am I here? It's just not. Granted I found my footing a little bit. You know, I still stuck to what I'm good at, but it was definitely. I much prefer just guarding someone from the three point line if it's a guard than a full court.

Az Fudd (18:18)

I mean, me too. Doesn't everyone?

Stephanie Dolson (18:21)

Yeah, well, not if you're going on a post full court. That's easy. But just saying.

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Ashanti Plummer (21:36)

So you are part of the inaugural season of unrivaled. Can you tell us about that experience?

Stephanie Dolson (21:43)

It was cool. I mean, I enjoyed it. You got to be obviously in Miami, which is amazing. The basketball was up and down for sure. Our team was. We had. We struggled. You know, it wasn't like the best season for us because everyone got injured at one point. It was literally me and Kmac from like our original team that was healthy. Like, the two of us were the only ones that ended up staying healthy the entire season. So it was definitely a little bit of a up and down season for us there. But it was still fun. Like, it was. It was so cool to play with new players like me and at. We got drafted together and from that day we've been joking that we wanted to play together. And like, we've just never gotten to play. And so finally we got to be on the same team and, you know, we enjoyed it. Obviously, she was injured most of it, but it was fun to play with someone like that, play with kmac. The three of us all were drafted together, so it was just like a really great team. We had all old heads, so we all just were there to, like, we were just there to play basketball, enjoy Miami, not get into any other crazy stuff. So it was fun.

Ashanti Plummer (22:46)

I do want to go back to your time at UConn because everyone that we bring on has these awesome stories about Ceedee or Coach Gino. So, yes, we want to know if you have any Ceedee stories.

Stephanie Dolson (23:01)

I mean, I don't know about stories as much as they are moments. Like, they just were. CD and I had a funny relationship because, you know, it's like, I don't know who it is on your team this year or maybe like Paige last year, but there's always that one who CD kind of not Pixon. But, you know, you have that relationship where you kind of banter back and forth like, I'll make fun of cd, she'll make fun of me. You know, to this day, she still tells everyone the story of how she made me cry before I even picked a basketball up. Like, she'll always tell that. She'll like, you'd never believe this. This one time I walk in the gym and she's already crying. And I was like. Because I cried a lot. Like, I was very. My first season, I first semester, Like, I wanted to leave. I was almost done. Like, I was. I didn't think I could do it. I was crying all the time. I came home a lot during the weekends. Like, it was too hard for me. And then, you know, something switched. During Christmas, I had a conversation with Gino, but, you know, and things got better. But, like, before that, it was. It was rough. Like, I was really crying a lot, and so cd her and I just. We always had that relationship where we just kind of make fun of each other. I used to wear, like. Like, colored tights were. Were very in back then, or like, a little headband with flowers. And she'd always be like, what are you wearing? Like, what? You look ridiculous. You know, just something like that. I would just. Then the next time, I'd wear an even brighter color, you know, or even bigger headband. Like, so we just kind of had that relationship throughout my years, which was fun.

Az Fudd (24:30)

I love that. So there always has to be someone that does that with her, that goes back and forth, that has that fun relationship. It's definitely not me, but it's not.

Stephanie Dolson (24:40)

A bad thing. That's not a bad thing.

Az Fudd (24:42)

I don't know if I'm remembering this correctly, but it was, like, right after you left UConn, you dyed your hair like a. It was like, purple or blue or pink. Something bright.

Stephanie Dolson (24:49)

Yeah, purple. Purple.

Az Fudd (24:50)

Had you been wanting to do that for a long time and you just couldn't because. Or was it just like.

Stephanie Dolson (24:56)

Well, I wanted to do something. Yeah, I had, actually, during the season, I think it was my junior year again, it was, like, a trendy thing to, like. You know what it was like to shave part of your head? Mm. I wanted to do that, like, really badly. And I went to CD one time, and I was like, cd, If I go and shave my head, like, what's. She's like, you're not on the team. You're. You will not be on the team anymore. And I was like, all right, cool. Won't shake my head.

Az Fudd (25:22)

Thank you.

Stephanie Dolson (25:23)

So, yeah, once I left, I got a few tattoos. Yeah. Dyed my hair purple. It's just kind of that, like, you know, I think everyone has it, whether you go to UConn or somewhere else. It's like once you graduate from college, you feel like this, like, reborn feeling of, like, I'm an adult. I can make adult decisions. I can do whatever I want, and no one can tell me otherwise. Maybe your parents. But my parents don't do that, so I just kind of went with it. Yeah.

Az Fudd (25:47)

That's amazing. I do love your hair now. It looks so good.

Stephanie Dolson (25:50)

I'm having a bit of a midlife crisis, so I was really bored I was bored with my hair. I was like, I need to do something and I don't cut my hair. So. Yeah, this is where it is right now. Thanks.

Az Fudd (26:01)

It looks cool.

Ashanti Plummer (26:01)

I want to see some pictures of these bright tights and these headbands.

Stephanie Dolson (26:05)

Oh, you can Google it.

Ashanti Plummer (26:06)

They were. Say less. I will.

Stephanie Dolson (26:10)

Blue tights. Because CD makes you wear tights. And I. It was like everything was so standard, right. It was like normal tights, black skirt, black shirt. So then I throw in awful things. I don't know what I was thinking going back.

Az Fudd (26:25)

I definitely need to picture this. I was going to say maybe CD dinner type of attire that you'd wear, like, blue tights with.

Stephanie Dolson (26:31)

Yeah, like, we'd have a team dinner in a different city. I could walk in with blue or purple tights.

Az Fudd (26:35)

Maybe you should try that this year.

Stephanie Dolson (26:37)

It was bad. I bet she remembers. I can't imagine she doesn't remember. I was the only one that did weird things like that.

Ashanti Plummer (26:44)

I would love to see it, ac.

Stephanie Dolson (26:46)

I would love to see it.

Az Fudd (26:47)

Do you have any of that?

Ashanti Plummer (26:47)

Don't do anything in trouble.

Stephanie Dolson (26:50)

No. What tights? Blue tights.

Az Fudd (26:52)

Tights or flower headbands or.

Stephanie Dolson (26:55)

No, I don't think so. I mean, you guys do enough to mess with them. You guys walk around with wigs on.

Ashanti Plummer (26:59)

Or, like, make them do TikToks.

Stephanie Dolson (27:02)

Exactly. Yeah. You guys, she loves. Yeah. You get enough cringe from them.

Ashanti Plummer (27:07)

But stuff. We did do a little searching. We have some old pictures from your Instagram back when you and your team met Drake. Look at your face.

Stephanie Dolson (27:18)

I'm so nervous.

Ashanti Plummer (27:21)

Nothing too crazy. There's just a couple times that you got meet Drake and I'm assuming. I mean, like, he called you his tall goddess. It doesn't get any better.

Stephanie Dolson (27:31)

I know. Well, maybe not now, but back then. Yeah.

Ashanti Plummer (27:36)

Tell us what it was like meeting him.

Stephanie Dolson (27:38)

I don't know. It was fun. It was just. I don't even remember how it happened, to be honest with you. It was something. I think Bria had an uncle who worked for security for him or something, I think so. We ended up at the concert backstage, and I just got to meet him, and he hugged me. And then I saw him again at the ESPYs, and he hugged me again. And I was like, did we just become best friends?

Az Fudd (27:59)

Wait, so this is real? Yes.

Stephanie Dolson (28:02)

Me with him?

Az Fudd (28:03)

Yes. I was looking at this pit where he was like, arms are wrapped around you. I was like, no way.

Stephanie Dolson (28:08)

Yes. He loved me. He loved me.

Ashanti Plummer (28:12)

Look at that.

Stephanie Dolson (28:13)

Oh, my gosh.

Az Fudd (28:15)

That's incredible.

Stephanie Dolson (28:16)

Yeah, I was the tall goddess before. There's all these tall goddesses out there, you know what I'm saying?

Ashanti Plummer (28:21)

Okay. Not the OG og Tall goddess.

Stephanie Dolson (28:28)

Yeah, that's real. Those are not AI. That's so funny that you guys went back and found those.

Ashanti Plummer (28:35)

Yeah, shout out to the team.

Stephanie Dolson (28:39)

That's funny.

Ashanti Plummer (28:39)

One of my final UConn questions, we had a little combo with Ms. Bria Hartley, one of your former teammates. She shared that you got kicked out of the locker room freshman year. Please let us know what happened there.

Stephanie Dolson (28:55)

It was so dumb. It was so dumb. Well, I'm sure our stories are right on, because how could either of us forget it? Well, essentially, it started with us getting kicked out of practice, which that I'll never forget because there's five freshmen. I'm the good. Like, I'm a goody two shoes. Let me. I don't want to, you know, rule follower.

Ashanti Plummer (29:14)

Yeah.

Stephanie Dolson (29:14)

Like, I'm. Let's not beat around the bush. I am a little bit of a brown noser. I'm like, oh, what do you need me to do? Like, you know, I don't want to get on anyone's bad side, especially as a freshman. So we're all, like, practicing, and coach is like, you know, you freshmen, you're awful. Like, you're not doing anything, whatever. And meanwhile, I'm like, what did I do? I didn't do anything. So then he's like, maya, who do you think, like, who, like, someone needs to get kicked out of practice? And so she's, like, looking around, and I just happened to make eye contact with her first, and she calls on me first. I was like, maya, we're like besties. We were roommates on the road. I was heartbroken. I was like, I do everything for you, and I love you. So I was really sad that I got picked first in that moment. And then she went on to just call on all the freshmen because apparently we were the problem, which we probably were, don't get me wrong. But not all of us were the problem. So then right after we got kicked out of practice, he. I don't remember how it happened. I just remember our jerseys getting taken away. The five of us were in the, like, the rec center or like, the rec locker in Gampel. I don't even know what it's called, I guess, but it was just. Was so sad. We made our own little board before pre game. Like, we'd draw plays, like, just as a joke. So we made it fun for us, and it was a little bit of A bonding thing for us freshmen. But we were definitely happy when we got let back into the locker room. Like, it was a few. I don't know if it was a month or two or. It was like, kind of a long time. It felt like a long time. So maybe only a month, but that's a lot. I know. It was really sad.

Az Fudd (30:56)

Wait, you guys weren't in there for games? Like, pregame? You had to go to your own locker.

Stephanie Dolson (31:01)

Well, so, like, shoot around and stuff. Yeah, we were in our own locker. And then I think the games we'd have to. I don't know if we got dressed in the other locker room, but it was definitely like, you had. We had all our stuff in there. So then we'd have to, like, bring it to our actual locker room before the game. But it was. And then you'd go in there post game, and then we'd bring everything back to the other locker room for, like, practice the next day or whatever. It was bad. It was really, like, really bad.

Az Fudd (31:27)

Oh, my. Wait, did you get to keep, like, your practice stuff practice here? Did you have to wear, like, the generic?

Stephanie Dolson (31:32)

No. Yeah, I think we had the generic. Yeah. And then it was like. I think it was little by little, but I could be remembering wrong. I think it was like, as each person started doing better, oh, here's your jersey. Like, here's this. And it's like, yes, please. It's really kind of funny when you think back to, like, when you're out of college in the next five to six years, it's going to be so funny when you think about some of the things that you go through in college, because it's like, like a fever dream. Like, you're just like, did I really live that? Did I actually do that in college? And it was so normal. Like, at that time, I'm like, yeah, of course I got kicked out. Like, we were terrible. You know, it was just so normal. Now I'm like, what? How do we do that?

Az Fudd (32:14)

Normal, but also feels like the end of the world. Like, the biggest thing. Like, oh, no, we're kicked out of the locker room. Then looking back, wow, that's actually really funny.

Stephanie Dolson (32:22)

Yeah, exactly. Made it more fun.

Az Fudd (32:24)

That's so funny. Wow.

Ashanti Plummer (32:27)

Okay, so I'm gonna pivot a little bit. You know, AZ is in her senior year. You were a senior and a vet on your team. How do you know when to speak up and then when to let your teammates kind of figure it out? I know that's something. Az has mentioned that she's Trying to figure out on her own as well.

Stephanie Dolson (32:47)

I mean, I'm still trying to figure it out, to be honest with you. I think it depends on your relationship with everyone would be. My first piece of advice is like, what relationship do you have with everyone? Right? Like, if. If everyone sees you as the same type of person, then it's like, I'd say, talk as much as you can. That's how I did it this year, at least. I don't know if I talk too much, but I always apologize before I start talking. I'm like, all right, guys, I'm going to say something here. But I think it's just like reading the room. Obviously, you get a sense of your teammates and now that you're a grad student, like, you've been around them enough, right? I'm sure you know in some aspects, like when the right time to talk is, when isn't. I think it's like, it's always a funny line of, if people seem really sad or mad, I kind of let them feel those feelings. And then I might say something later. Or sometimes, like, if everyone plays really bad, I don't speak. Like, I'm just like, this is the coach's job. Like, I want them to say something and then to kind of like, I'll have individual conversations with people or whatever. But I don't know. It's just reading the room, obviously, and it's just something that you learn. It's not. No one has that skill, I don't think. But you just gotta learn it. Because when I was younger, I didn't speak up as much. Like, I'm a very lead by example, lead by my joy. Whereas now I'm like, no, I have to say something. But I've experienced so much, so I feel like I. I don't wanna say I know it all. Cause that's ridiculous. But I do feel like I know a lot, so. And I've experienced a lot. I've experienced good teams, I've experienced bad teams. I've experienced a championship. I've experienced not making playoffs. Like, I've really experienced. I feel like everything. And so. And I've experienced good vets, I've experienced bad vets. So I feel like I've just learned with experience. And like, what I've seen works and doesn't work. So you'll. You'll learn those skills. And as your season keeps going, like, we're only in December, so you still have quite a few months to keep learning.

Az Fudd (34:45)

Well, thank you. That was really good advice. Yeah. That is something that I do. I feel like I'm trying to figure out the balance between. But I think I've been erring more on the side of caution and like, letting them feel it out and figure it out. But I think I need to air more on the. Say something. And if they want me to shut up, they'll tell me to shut up, you know? Yeah. So what's the best advice you ever gotten from a vet that's actually stuck with you?

Stephanie Dolson (35:07)

I feel like the main advice, which is gonna sound, like, obvious, but I do feel like in the league, sometimes people aren't this. I had, I think I believe it was Carol Austin. And now she probably won't remember doing this, but, like, as a rookie or, you know, second year, young player, like, it really stuck with me was just like, she basically told me to be as honest as I possibly can. Like, I feel like people really, like I said before, tiptoe around things, right? It's like, oh, I don't know if this works and I don't know if this is cool. And it's just like, no, like, we're all adults in the league, right? It's a job at the end of the day. And I think her advice was just like, see it as that, like, if something is going wrong, to say it and to be honest about it. Like, if, if, if everyone's fake on a team or, or is like beating around the bush, nothing's gonna happen. And if you really wanna be successful, like, you gotta be straightforward, you gotta be honest. And I think that leads to that respect and, like, having each other's back. So I think that's what we did, especially in Chicago the year that we won with each other. Like, we were very upfront, we were very honest. There was good days and there was bad days because of it. Like, there's gonna be days that people don't like each other because of it, but that's what it took to win a championship.

Az Fudd (36:23)

So that's beautiful.

Ashanti Plummer (36:26)

Not truly.

Stephanie Dolson (36:27)

Thanks. Thanks, Kara. Foreign.

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Stephanie Dolson (39:06)

Now we're.

Az Fudd (39:06)

Gonna do our what's the FUD of the week? Our what? The FUD of the week is something that happened this week or recently that made you go like what the fudge? So Steph is our guest. I think you should go first. What is your what the FUD of the Week?

Stephanie Dolson (39:20)

Mine would be it was a good what the fud? Because I was on the street in New York City and these teenage boys walked by and I was taking a picture and they said, smash.

Az Fudd (39:30)

Hey, I got cat called.

Stephanie Dolson (39:31)

I was like, hey, yo. I was like, I still got it. Smash.

Az Fudd (39:37)

Smash is crazy.

Ashanti Plummer (39:39)

I know.

Stephanie Dolson (39:40)

My girlfriend was taking the picture, and she was like, did they just say that? And I was like, yes.

Ashanti Plummer (39:48)

Listen, hot mama.

Stephanie Dolson (39:50)

Is that good? It's good, right?

Ashanti Plummer (39:51)

I know. That's a great. That's a very New York story.

Stephanie Dolson (39:56)

Great.

Ashanti Plummer (39:56)

What the.

Stephanie Dolson (39:57)

Fun.

Ashanti Plummer (39:57)

Perfect. No notes. 10 out of 10.

Stephanie Dolson (40:02)

Easy. No one. You guys don't have one.

Ashanti Plummer (40:04)

That's it, girl. Az, do you got one? Because that's. That's the. What the fuck?

Az Fudd (40:09)

No, I think she. She's got it. That takes it.

Ashanti Plummer (40:12)

The crown.

Az Fudd (40:12)

Okay.

Stephanie Dolson (40:14)

Smashed.

Az Fudd (40:16)

Did they do the hand movement, too?

Stephanie Dolson (40:17)

I don't know. I was taking a picture. I was just posing for a picture.

Az Fudd (40:21)

What were you wearing? Were you all dressed up?

Stephanie Dolson (40:23)

Yeah, yeah, we were going to the Rockettes. So I was like. I had a nice outfit on and a fur coat, but I got Cat called a few times that night. I'm not gonna lie.

Ashanti Plummer (40:30)

I was little.

Stephanie Dolson (40:31)

I was feeling myself. I know I was a little happy. I'll take an old man catcalling me any day. I'm crying.

Ashanti Plummer (40:42)

That's a great. What the.

Az Fudd (40:42)

Fun.

Ashanti Plummer (40:44)

All right, so our next fighting game is called FUD or dud. Okay. Fud means it's fire. It's lit. It's a yes. Dud means it's a no. All right, first situation.

Stephanie Dolson (40:59)

Post.

Ashanti Plummer (41:00)

Players get the worst whistle in basketball. FUD or dude. I guess it's like, yes. Oh, so true.

Stephanie Dolson (41:07)

Easily. Do you want. Do I explain as well?

Ashanti Plummer (41:11)

If you want to. If you want to.

Stephanie Dolson (41:12)

No, I mean, whether we're bigger than someone or slower than someone. If we just touch a guard, like, say I could switch onto a guard. I can touch them. Easy foul, right? But a guard gets switched onto me, and they're just, like, punching me in the back. God forbid I turn my elbow and they fly. It's a foul on me, too. There's no easily post. Get the most calls. Easy.

Ashanti Plummer (41:37)

Az thoughts.

Az Fudd (41:39)

I mean, that. That's a great. I'm gonna go with her on this one. I like. I feel like we get. Yeah, I'm gonna go with her on this one. That's true.

Stephanie Dolson (41:48)

Thank you. It's hard.

Az Fudd (41:50)

We got a battle down there.

Stephanie Dolson (41:53)

Oh, don't. Don't get me started on guards. Who next switch? Yeah, here we go.

Ashanti Plummer (41:58)

Next. If a guard switches onto you, you're required to score. FUD or dud?

Stephanie Dolson (42:03)

That's a tough one. I feel like I would say fud, but at the same time, I'm. It's Going to sound sad, but I'm more of a dud. Just because I don't like when. When a guard switches onto a post and everyone's staring at it. It's like everyone knows what's happening. If we don't pass you the ball, get out, and someone else has a mismatch. You know what I mean? Like, so I'm a little bit both on that. That's a tough one.

Ashanti Plummer (42:29)

I think it depends on your personnel.

Stephanie Dolson (42:31)

Yeah, I agree.

Az Fudd (42:33)

I'm definitely that guard that's staring like.

Stephanie Dolson (42:37)

You'Re the guard.

Az Fudd (42:38)

I'm that guard. Sorry.

Ashanti Plummer (42:39)

Mouse in the house.

Stephanie Dolson (42:40)

Okay.

Ashanti Plummer (42:43)

Okay. Hitting 13 makes you a stretch big. This is hilarious.

Stephanie Dolson (42:47)

Dud. Dud. Don't ask my teammates that because they hit 13 and they're like. I'm like, get back on defense. You made 1 3. Like, get back.

Ashanti Plummer (42:59)

Yeah, that's a dub for me. Yeah. Dud. Rookies should carry bags in college or.

Stephanie Dolson (43:05)

In the league or I guess rookies is in college. That's freshmen. So you meant the league.

Ashanti Plummer (43:10)

Either one.

Stephanie Dolson (43:11)

Okay. Dud. Not dud. Either way. Dud. I. I can carry my own bag. I don't need you to carry my bags.

Ashanti Plummer (43:16)

You're sweet.

Az Fudd (43:17)

I feel like coming from UConn, I'm expecting like a FUD. I'm expecting. I don't know. Every time when I was. At least when I was a freshman was like, freshman duty this, freshman duty that. Get the bags, do this. And so, yeah, I'll be prepared either way.

Stephanie Dolson (43:29)

The league has changed a little bit. When I was a rookie, for sure, it was. We had to carry all the carry on bags because we used to carry the shoes and the jerseys as carry ons, but now it's like with charter flights, like, it's just. Everything's a little bit different. So it's a little bit, you know, it's a little bit nicer, and every team has a lot more staff. So when bags come in and out, they're like. So not much of a chance.

Az Fudd (43:52)

Okay.

Ashanti Plummer (43:54)

Talking on defense should be mandatory.

Stephanie Dolson (43:57)

I mean, fud.

Ashanti Plummer (43:58)

FUD for sure. Three on three basketball is harder than five on five.

Stephanie Dolson (44:04)

Dud. I think five on five is like. There's just so many more things going on. There's so much more congestion in the paint. It's fa. Well, it's not faster, but it's like. It's faster in a different way because of the full court. So it's just. For sure. I think it's harder.

Az Fudd (44:22)

I think three on three is harder.

Stephanie Dolson (44:24)

Really?

Az Fudd (44:25)

It's just so tiring.

Ashanti Plummer (44:28)

No plays off.

Az Fudd (44:29)

Yeah. Yeah. There definitely is a lot more going on in five.

Ashanti Plummer (44:33)

On five bigs who pass don't get enough credit.

Stephanie Dolson (44:37)

Fud.

Az Fudd (44:38)

I'd say fud.

Stephanie Dolson (44:39)

Yeah, I think it's a fud, but I think it's becoming a little bit better lately. I do think us bigs who pass are getting a little bit more credit than it used to be. Because a few years ago, I felt like there was no. There was no bigs who could pass. And now all of a sudden, every big is really good at passing. So I'm like, there's, you know, not sure that's how it works. It's kind of like, you know, you make one through your stretch post, you make one good pass. It doesn't mean you're a good passing post. Let's just, you know, call a spade a space.

Ashanti Plummer (45:11)

You did that one good pass.

Az Fudd (45:13)

Yeah.

Ashanti Plummer (45:13)

Like now you're a point guard.

Stephanie Dolson (45:15)

Exactly. This is. Everyone, everyone.

Ashanti Plummer (45:19)

Okay. Celebrating a wide open layup is acceptable. That's a dud for me.

Stephanie Dolson (45:25)

100% a dud. 100%.

Az Fudd (45:28)

I mean, I'm going to celebrate all your layups.

Ashanti Plummer (45:32)

If you were in a layup slum.

Stephanie Dolson (45:35)

I understand.

Az Fudd (45:38)

Steph, I. Not anymore, but previously I was in a layup slump. So I was gonna say.

Stephanie Dolson (45:44)

That's so funny. Cause I was just gonna say, who. If you're in a layup slump, should you be playing basketball? When was this slump? I've been watching your guys games. I don't remember seeing this.

Ashanti Plummer (45:57)

She missed like two layups.

Stephanie Dolson (45:59)

I was gonna say, would you take one layup in two games or two? You know, one of them.

Capital One Announcer (46:02)

I mean, one of them.

Ashanti Plummer (46:03)

She did clunk it off the backboard. But hear me out.

Stephanie Dolson (46:06)

I was like, it's a pass.

Ashanti Plummer (46:07)

Who was behind her?

Stephanie Dolson (46:10)

It's all right. I'm sure everyone forgot about it. I'm sure you made four threes after it, so they definitely forgot about it.

Az Fudd (46:15)

Yeah, I hope they forgot about it. Anyways, moving on, next one.

Ashanti Plummer (46:19)

If you don't set screens, you shouldn't shoot.

Stephanie Dolson (46:22)

That's probably a fud because everyone needs to set some type of screen. Unless you're like a point guard, but you might be setting like a cross screen for a big. And I love a guard who sets a good screen for a post player.

Az Fudd (46:34)

I love setting good screen. Like when you. When you get hit, like when you know you said a good one. Yeah, that's probably one of the best things for me in basketball.

Stephanie Dolson (46:42)

Same, same.

Az Fudd (46:44)

So I'm also going to go FUD on this.

Ashanti Plummer (46:46)

Okay, fuzz all around. Last one. Every team needs one vet who argues with refs.

Stephanie Dolson (46:55)

I'd say dud only because I would change the verbiage and say one player because not every team needs a vet to argue. Sometimes you need the vets to not argue because you know all the young ones are gonna argue or someone's gonna argue. So you need a level headed vet.

Ashanti Plummer (47:10)

Good answer.

Stephanie Dolson (47:11)

But if it was that, then I'd say fud. But I'd still say dud.

Az Fudd (47:14)

I'm gonna go dud or I'll go fud. Cause I'm the teammate that is entertained by their teammates arguing with riffs.

Ashanti Plummer (47:20)

I'm crying. I'm crying.

Az Fudd (47:24)

All right, that is all we have today. Steph, thank you so much for joining us. This was so much fun.

Stephanie Dolson (47:29)

Thanks for having me. I had a blast everyone.

Az Fudd (47:32)

Thank you listening today. And don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to FUD around and find out wherever you get your podcast. We will see you guys next week. Around and find out is a production of I Heart Women's Sports and Unanimous Media. Executive producers are Jesse Katz, Eric Payton, Sharla Sumter, Brigitte and Stephen Curry. Co executive producer is Kalena Maria Kutney. Producers are Mike Coscarelli, Grace Fuse and Mackenzie Fitzpatrick. And co producers are Kurt Redmond, Maya Howard and Jacqueline Schoeninger. This podcast is edited by Mike Coscarelli and hosted by Me, Az Fudd and Ashanti Plummer.

Stephanie Dolson (48:09)

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