Sylvia Fowles is in the final year of her outstanding 15-year career, announcing her retirement before the season. The former LSU standout, WNBA champion, MVP, and four-time Olympian played in her eighth and final All-Star game this year.
During the All-Star break, Fowles spoke on how retirement has not hit her yet, “I think mainly because I’m just trying to be present in the moment and enjoy it,” she said. “I know once it’s all said and done, I’ll probably be a big water bag, and who wants to do that every game?”
It has been a disappointing season so far for the Minnesota Lynx; they are 10-18 and struggling a lot this season. Fowles is one of the few bright spots averaging 15.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Also, the center is shooting 63% from the field. Even after all these years, Fowles is still a force in the paint on both sides of the court.
Before joining Minnesota, Fowles spent her first seven seasons with the Chicago Sky before joining the Minnesota Lynx. In her time in Chicago, she averaged 15.7 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the field.
She helped lead the Lynx to two WNBA Finals in 2015 and 2017 and was Finals MVP in both Finals. Also, in 2017, Fowles won the WNBA MVP Award, averaging 18.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and two blocks per game.
The coverage of Fowles retirement has been underwhelming. Though, specific teams have stepped up to the plate with pregame ceremonies. The WNBA has not covered her retirement like they have Sue Birds. During the All-Star games’ final timeout. When Bird and Fowles left the game to loud ovations, Bird got most of the coverage, and Fowles got about a second of camera time.
An All-Timer
Fowles is all-time great; she deserves better, and she spoke about how the WNBA has covered her, “As far as the league, I think they’ve been doing an okay job,” Fowles said of promotion of her. ” I try not to focus mostly on league stuff, but as far as the girls, yes, most definitely the players have been giving me my flowers.”
The WNBA has to cover all their players better; Fowles won Defensive Player of the Year four times. She also led the WNBA in blocks and rebounding twice. In addition, she is an eight-time All-star, made seven All-WNBA Teams, and ten All-Defensive Teams. Syl has accomplished WNBA superstar and deserves every bit of coverage that Bird has gotten.
Fowles has scored over 6,000 points, grabbed close to 4,00 rebounds, and blocked over 700 shots. As you can see, Fowles has put together an outstanding career. However, Minnesota will miss her controlling the paint on both ends of the floor. When she retires, she will be among the WNBA greats.
