During the 2020 WNBA draft, Sky center Stefanie Dolson revealed on ESPN that her family tested positive for the coronavirus last month.
“It hit us pretty hard,” Dolson said.
Dolson, who’s from Port Jervis, New York, said they’re all recovered now, though her mother was hospitalized for four days with severe symptoms and pneumonia that was a result from the virus. She thanked healthcare workers and those who are on the front lines fighting the pandemic for their hard work and sacrifices at this time, calling them “inspirational and amazing.”
Dolson, who’s from Port Jervis, New York, is the first known Chicago athlete to test positive for COVID-19 and is potentially the second WNBA player. Aces star Liz Cambage, who played in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association, said last month that she believes she had coronavirus in December.
Dolson also played in the WCBA this offseason. She was home on a monthlong break when the league suspended its season in January due to the virus outbreak.
Coach James Wade said he’s been in contact with all his players throughout this unprecedented time and offered support to Dolson while her family battled the virus.
He encouraged everyone to follow social distancing guidelines to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
“Sometimes we selfishly want to do the things we want to do,” he said, “but this is a good test for mankind and human beings to actually be unselfish and think about other people.”
