MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sylvia Fowles has always dispensed praise to others. The Minnesota Lynx couldn’t escape the spotlight as the team retired its jersey on Sunday night.
The jersey retirement ceremony capped off a weekend reunion for the Lynx, who honored the 25 greatest players in franchise history, including Fowles, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, and Rebekkah Brunson.
“It’s hard because I usually don’t talk about myself. I am who I am because of the people in my life,” Fowles said. “It’s about me, but I wouldn’t be the same without those people who help me along the way.”
Now she No. 34 jersey hanging With all of them except Moore, whose number will likely be retired in the future.
“I’ve never been one to chase goals, or chase many records,” Fowles said. “To see who I am next to me in the rafters, it feels great that I did my job.”
The 6-foot-6 center won titles in 2015 and 2017 and earned WNBA Finals MVP honors both times. Fowles retired after last season.
She was drafted second overall by the Chicago Sky in 2008 before being traded midway through the 2015 season to the Lynx. Fowles spent the last eight years of her 15-year career with Minnesota.
“To lose half a season because you felt so strongly like a Lynx,” said Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve. “That says a lot, and it started when she made that decision, then her actions, her words, everything is exemplary to the ninth degree. … She was everything we hoped for and then some.”
She finished her career as the WNBA’s rebounding leader with 4,007. She holds the league record for double-doubles (193) and was the MVP of 2017.
“I don’t know a player as dominant as pie,” Moore said during his retirement ceremony.
Fowles was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year four times and was an All-Star eight times. She also helped the United States win four Olympic gold medals.
On Sunday, the team you helped turn into the Dynasty hit their first home win of the season, 91-86 over the Los Angeles Sparks. Minnesota rebounded from a late 11-point deficit.
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