George Mason women’s basketball announced on April 29 the addition of transfer guard Tia Dobson to its roster for the 2026-27 season. Head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis said Dobson, who joins from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), will bring experience and leadership to the program.
The signing is significant as George Mason looks to strengthen its team ahead of the upcoming season. Dobson’s previous performances highlight her potential impact both on and off the court.
“A fierce leader, amazing person and high level student, Tia brings experience to our program,” Blair-Lewis said. “Her mindset is contagious and we can’t wait to have her impact us here in Fairfax! She’s outstanding in the classroom, a very fiery athlete, and an ultimate competitor. We are so excited about this addition to our Mason Family. Welcome Tia!”
Dobson played two seasons at UNCW. In her sophomore year (2025-26), she started two games before suffering a season-ending injury but managed nine points against East Carolina with perfect free throw shooting and three steals early in the year. As a freshman, she appeared in 29 games with 18 starts, averaging 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting over seventy-five percent from the free throw line.
During her first collegiate season, Dobson led all Colonial Athletic Association freshmen with sixty-five assists and was second on her team with forty-two steals—the third-highest total by a freshman in the conference that year. She had six double-digit scoring games including career highs such as sixteen points and eight assists in an overtime win over Hofstra.
Before college, Dobson attended Mainland High School where she helped secure its first state championship in 2023 while surpassing one thousand career points and earning McDonald’s All-America nominee honors.
