The Basics
Position: Center
Current Team: Minnesota Lynx | #34
Draft: 2008 | LSU | 1st Round (2nd overall) | Fashion
Key Accolades: MVP (2017), WNBA Champion (2015, 2017), WNBA Finals MVP (2015, 2017), Defensive Player of the Year (2011, 2013, 2016), All-Defensive Team (2008, 2010-2014, 2016-2018), All-Star (many)
WNBA Profile | Stats | Instagram | Twitter
The Down Low
Here's a fun fact: Sylvia Fowles is studying mortuary science and plans to be a funeral director after she retires from the WNBA. Funeral Director Daily has kept up with her progress, proudly announcing that a "Mortuary Science Student Named 2017 WNBA MVP" and "Funeral director becomes WNBA’s all-time leading rebounder." Per FDD, Syl has already started her clinical rotations in Minnesota. Her motivations to get into this line of work are incredibly charming:
Fowles wanted to learn how to properly prepare the deceased, perhaps easing the grieving process for families and friends knowing that those who died were handled with care. Later in her youth, Fowles would hold pretend funeral services with her stuffed animals.
(She's said she was a bit of a "creepy kid" growing up.)
Based on the above, it may be no surprise that she's known as "Sweet Syl" and is seemingly beloved by other players. It's good she's so likeable off the court, because I am sure other players hate to face off against her. Syl is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and consistently makes the All-Defensive First or Second Team. She is certainly not too sweet to block your shot or grab the rebound out of your hands.
Don't think she's all defense though -- she will bully you in the paint a little bit, if she feels like it. She's also got the dunk in her back pocket. If you're not convinced yet, here's a great video of some WNBA legends talking about how they had to change their games to play against her. Not so sweet now, huh?
Highlight Reel
Merch
Syl apparently has gotten big into to plant parenthood, and her new merch reflects it:
This is Monstera Deliciosa. You can find her Seedling, Bird of Paradise, Snake Plant, and other merch here.
More on Syl
- Being A WNBA Center Is Harder Than Ever. So Sylvia Fowles Adapted Her Game. (Howard Megdal, FiveThirtyEight)
- Sylvia Fowles is the Impact Player of the Decade (Tamryn Spruill, Swish Appeal)
- Though Sylvia Fowles’ Career Has No End in Sight, the Three-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Has a Surprising Post-Basketball Plan (Steve Drumwright, USA Basketball)
- Sylvia Fowles, W.N.B.A. Star and Aspiring Funeral Director (Seth Berkman, New York Times)
- Reigning WNBA MVP Sylvia Fowles is studying to be an embalmer (Matt Ellentuck, SB Nation)