Dolson, Hartley to Play for WNBA's Mystics

There was plenty of reason to cheer on Monday evening, when UConn seniors Stefanie Dolson and Bria Hartley, fresh off their second NCAA title in as many years, were taken sixth and seventh, respectively, in the WNBA Draft. It was a record 15th time one of Geno Auriemma's players had been selected in the first round.

But it gets better: Dolson was drafted by the Washington Mystics and Hartley went to the Seattle Storm. The two weren't teammates for the first time in four years ... and that lasted about four minutes: the Mystics traded for Hartley, reuniting the two players once again.

“They’ve kind of been attached at the hip for four years, so I guess it’s poetic justice,” Auriemma said, via SNY.com. “I’ve always said it doesn’t matter what number you get drafted as long as you get drafted by the right team and have the opportunity to play. I’m thrilled for both of them.”

On getting drafted, Hartley said: "This is a dream true. I’m proud of what I accomplished in college and excited about the people around me that motivated me to chase my dream. I worked really hard to get here and not everyone gets this opportunity. I’m going to cherish it.”

And Dolson added: “I was in the hallway and I heard the uproar and I thought, ‘That had to be Bria,’” she said. “The fact that we went right after each other means a lot. We came in together, won two national championships together, and now we’re going to the WNBA together. ...

“So many things have happened in the last week for both Bria and I,” she added. “I’m extremely happy for her, too. We couldn’t have asked for a better end to our college careers.”

Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike, who days ago beat out Breanna Stewart for the Wooden Award, was taken first overall by the Connecticut Sun.

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