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{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1985)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Sylvia Fowles
| image = Sylvia Fowles 2022 (52283271158) (cropped).jpg
| width = 
| caption = Fowles in 2022
| league = [[WNBA]]
| number = 
| team = 
| position = [[center (basketball)|Center]]
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lbs = 217
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|10|6}}
| birth_place = [[Miami, Florida]], U.S.
| high_school = 
*[[Miami Edison Senior High School|Miami Edison]]<br/>(Miami, Florida)
[[Gulliver Schools|Gulliver Preparatory]]<br/>([[Coral Gables, Florida]])
| college = [[LSU Lady Tigers basketball|LSU]] (2004–2008)
| draft_league = WNBA
| draft_year = 2008
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 2
| draft_team = [[Chicago Sky]]
| career_start = 2008
| career_end = 2022
| years1 = {{WNBA Year|2008}}–{{WNBA Year|2014}}
| team1 = [[Chicago Sky]]
| years2 = 2008–2010
| team2 = [[WBC Spartak Moscow Region|Spartak Moscow]]
| years3 = 2010–2013
| team3 = [[Galatasaray women's basketball team|Galatasaray Medical Park]]
| years4= 2013–2015
| team4 = [[Shanghai Swordfish]] 
| years5 = 2015
| team5 =  Canik Belediyesi
| years6= 2015–2018
| team6 = [[Beijing Great Wall]]
| years7= {{WNBA Year|2015}}–{{WNBA Year|2022}}
| team7 = [[Minnesota Lynx]]
| highlights = 
* 2× [[List of WNBA champions|WNBA champion]] ([[2015 WNBA Finals|2015]], [[2017 WNBA Finals|2017]])
* 2× [[WNBA Finals MVP]] ([[2015 WNBA Finals|2015]], [[2017 WNBA Finals|2017]])
* [[WNBA MVP]] ({{WNBA Year|2017}})
* 8× [[WNBA All-Star Game|WNBA All-Star]] ([[2009 WNBA All-Star Game|2009]], [[2011 WNBA All-Star Game|2011]], [[2013 WNBA All-Star Game|2013]], [[2017 WNBA All-Star Game|2017]]–[[2019 WNBA All-Star Game|2019]], [[2021 WNBA All-Star Game|2021]], [[2022 WNBA All-Star Game|2022]])
* 3× [[All-WNBA Team|All-WNBA First Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2010}}, {{WNBA Year|2013}}, {{WNBA Year|2017}})
* 5× [[All-WNBA Team|All-WNBA Second Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2011}}, {{WNBA Year|2012}}, {{WNBA Year|2016}}, {{WNBA Year|2021}}, {{WNBA Year|2022}})
* 4x [[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|WNBA Defensive Player of the Year]] ({{WNBA Year|2011}}, {{WNBA Year|2013}}, {{WNBA Year|2016}}, {{WNBA Year|2021}})
* 8x [[WNBA All-Defensive Team|WNBA All-Defensive First Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2010}}–{{WNBA Year|2013}}, {{WNBA Year|2016}}, {{WNBA Year|2017}}, {{WNBA Year|2021}}, {{WNBA Year|2022}})
* 3× [[WNBA All-Defensive Team|WNBA All-Defensive Second Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2008}}, {{WNBA Year|2014}}, {{WNBA Year|2018}})
* 2× [[List of Women's National Basketball Association season blocks leaders|WNBA blocks leader]] ({{WNBA Year|2010}}, {{WNBA Year|2011}})
* 3× [[List of Women's National Basketball Association season rebounding leaders|WNBA rebounding champion]] ({{WNBA Year|2013}}, {{WNBA Year|2018}}, {{WNBA Year|2022}})
* 3× [[WNBA Peak Performers|WNBA Peak Performer]] ({{WNBA Year|2013}}, {{WNBA Year|2018}}, {{WNBA Year|2022}})
* [[WNBA All-Rookie Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2008}})
* [[Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award]] ({{WNBA Year|2022}})
* [[The W25|WNBA 25th Anniversary Team]] ({{WNBA Year|2021}})
* 2× [[Women's Chinese Basketball Association|WCBA]] champion (2016, 2017)
* 3× [[Turkish Women's Cup Basketball|Turkish Cup]] winner (2011–2013)
* 2× [[FIBA Europe SuperCup Women|Europe SuperCup]] winner (2009, 2010)
* 2× [[EuroLeague Women|EuroLeague]] champion (2009, 2010)
* [[WBCA Defensive Player of the Year]] (2008)
* 2x All-American – [[United States Basketball Writers Association|USBWA]], [[Women's Basketball Coaches Association|Kodak/State Farm Coaches']] (2007, 2008)
* First-team All-American – [[Associated Press|AP]] (2008)
* Second-team All-American – AP (2007)
* Third-team All-American – AP (2006)
* [[Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year|SEC Player of the Year]] (2008)
* [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] Defensive Player of the Year (2008)
* SEC All-Defensive Team (2008)
* 3x First-team All-SEC (2006–2008)
* SEC Sixth Player of the Year (2005)
* SEC All-Freshman Team (2005)
* [[McDonald's All-American Game|McDonald's All-American]] (2004)
* No. 34 [[Minnesota Lynx#Retired numbers|retired by Minnesota Lynx]]
* No. 34 retired by [[LSU Tigers women's basketball|LSU Lady Tigers]]
| wnba_profile = sylvia_fowles
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Women's [[basketball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{bkw|USA}}}}
{{MedalOlympics}}
{{MedalGold|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]]|[[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]]|[[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Rio de Janeiro]]|[[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2020 Summer Olympics|2020 Tokyo]]|[[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA Women's AmeriCup|FIBA AmeriCup]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2019 FIBA Women's AmeriCup|2019 Puerto Rico]]|[[United States women's national basketball team|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup|World Championship]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2010 FIBA World Championship for Women|2010 Czech Republic]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World University Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[USA Women's World University Games Team|2005 Izmir]] | Team}}
}}
'''Sylvia Shaqueria Fowles''' (born October 6, 1985) is an American former professional [[basketball]] player. Fowles played for the [[Chicago Sky]] and [[Minnesota Lynx]] during her WNBA career. She won the [[WNBA Most Valuable Player Award|WNBA MVP Award]] in 2017 and the [[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|WNBA Defensive Player of the Year]] award four times (2011, 2013, 2016, 2021). She led the Lynx to win the [[WNBA Finals|WNBA Championship]] in 2015 and 2017, and she was named the [[WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]] of the [[WNBA Finals]] both times. In 2020, Fowles overtook [[Rebekkah Brunson]] to become the WNBA's career leader in rebounds. In 2025, Fowles will be inducted into the [[Women's Basketball Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inducts three Black players |url=https://spokesman-recorder.com/2025/06/14/sylvia-fowles-womens-basketball-hall-of-fame-2025/ |last=Hallman |first=Charles |date=2025-06-14 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=[[Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder]]}}</ref> and the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Naismith Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sylvia Fowles's Life After Hall of Fame Career |url=https://frontofficesports.com/sylvia-fowles-womens-hall-of-fame-interview/ |last=Costabile |first=Annie |date=2025-06-17 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Front Office Sports}}</ref>

==Early life==
Fowles was born in [[Miami]], Florida, the daughter of Arrittio Fowles.  She has three brothers, Walter, Jeremy, Morris, and one sister, Dorothy. Fowles grew up in some of the rougher neighborhoods of [[Miami-Dade]], including [[Coconut Grove]], [[Little Haiti]], and the Victory Home Housing Projects. She attended Little River Elementary School, Horace Mann Middle School, [[Miami Edison Senior High School]] and graduated from [[Gulliver Preparatory School]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Florida basketball icon Sylvia Fowles to be inducted into Naismith Hall of Fame |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/article303578116.html |last=Fernandez |first=Andre |date=2025-04-04 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=[[Miami Herald]]}}</ref>

==High school career==
She also led [[Miami Edison Senior High School|Edison Senior High School]] to two state championships before transferring to [[Gulliver Preparatory School]]. Fowles averaged 20.6 points and 11.6 [[rebound (basketball)|rebound]]s at Gulliver and led them to the class 3A state championship against [[Gadsden County High School|East Gadsden High School]]. Fowles was also named a [[McDonald's All-American]]. Fowles was named a [[Women's Basketball Coaches Association|WBCA]] All-American. She participated in the 2004 [[Women's Basketball Coaches Association#WBCA High School All-America Game|WBCA High School All-America Game]], where she scored fifteen points, and earned MVP honors.<ref name="WBCA Box Scores"/>

==College career==
[[Image:2008-W-NCAA-Final-Four-4-07-08.jpg|thumb|left|Fowles (right, #34) pitted against [[Candace Parker]] in the opening tipoff of the 2008 NCAA Final Four]]
Fowles played in all 36 of LSU's games as a freshman, helping the team to an appearance in the [[NCAA]] [[Final Four]].  As a sophomore, she started all 35 games and again helped the team reach the Final Four.  In her junior year, she led LSU to the Final Four again and earned All-American honours.

Fowles was named to the pre-season All-American team prior to her senior season. She dunked the ball in the Lady Tigers' game against the [[University of Louisiana at Lafayette]] on November 21, 2007, becoming the sixth woman to dunk in an American college game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fox44.com/sports/11726586.html|title=Home|website=BRPROUD|language=en-US|access-date=2017-09-07}}</ref>

In December 2007, Fowles suffered a partial tear of the meniscus of her right knee during a game against the [[University of Miami]]. She then underwent surgery and missed several weeks of play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/|title=Breaking News, World News & Multimedia|access-date=2017-09-07}}</ref>

Fowles was named the 2008 SEC Player of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=1404752&DB_OEM_ID=5200|title=Chancellor, Fowles Receive SEC's Top Annual Honors|work=LSUsports.net|access-date=2017-09-07|language=en}}</ref>  During a March 24, 2008 NCAA Tournament game, she broke the all-time SEC record for career rebounds. She led LSU to the Final Four again in her senior year.

Fowles finished additional academic credits after beginning her professional basketball career and received her bachelor's degree from LSU in the spring of 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lsu.com/UNV002.nsf/%28NoteID%29/8E211540C515A36F862575B7005A98AC?OpenDocument|title=LSU Commencement Features Several Noteworthy Graduates}}</ref>

During her college career at LSU, Fowles had also played with future WNBA teammate [[Seimone Augustus]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wnba.com/news/sylvia-fowles-minnesota-lynx-wnba-finals-101416/|title=Meet Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota's Gentle Giant - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA|work=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA|access-date=2017-09-07|language=en-US}}</ref> On May 15, 2017, it was announced that Fowles' uniform number (34) will be retired by LSU during the 2017–18 season. She is the second women's basketball player in school history to receive that honor.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lady Tigers basketball great Sylvia Fowles has her No. 34 jersey retired by LSU|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_14dddee0-399a-11e7-9496-6ba1821045bb.html|publisher=theadvocate.com|date=May 15, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2017}}</ref>

===College statistics===
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Year
  !Team
  !GP
  !Points
  !FG%
  !3P%
  !FT%
  !RPG
  !APG
  !SPG
  !BPG
  !PPG
 
 |-
  |2004–05
  |[[2004–05 LSU Lady Tigers basketball team|LSU]]
  |36
  |426
  |.576
  | –
  |.592
  |9.0
  |0.3
  |1.4
  |2.8
  |11.8
 
 |-
  |2005–06
  |[[2005–06 LSU Lady Tigers basketball team|LSU]]
  |35
  |557
  |'''.607'''
  | –
  |.583
  |11.6
  |0.3
  |'''1.9'''
  |'''2.1'''
  |15.9
 
 |-
  |2006–07
  |[[2006–07 LSU Lady Tigers basketball team|LSU]]
  |'''38'''
  |'''643'''
  |.571
  | –
  |.612
  |'''12.6'''
  |0.4
  |1.2
  |'''2.1'''
  |16.9
 
 |-
  |2007–08
  |[[2007–08 LSU Lady Tigers basketball team|LSU]]
  |35
  |608
  |.584
  | –
  |'''.616'''
  |10.3
  |'''0.6'''
  |1.5
  |2.0
  |'''17.4'''
 
 |-
  | colspan=2 | Career
  |144
  |2,234
  |.584
  | –
  |.601
  |10.9
  |0.4
  |1.5
  |2.2
  |15.5
 |}
Source<ref name="NCAA Player stats">{{cite web|title=Women's Basketball Player stats|url=http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/careersearch|website=NCAA|access-date=25 Sep 2015}}</ref>

==WNBA career==
===Chicago Sky (2008–2014)===
[[File:Sylvia Fowles WNBA.jpg|thumb|right|upright=.75|Fowles with the [[Chicago Sky]] in 2011]]
Fowles was selected 2nd overall by the Chicago Sky in the [[2008 WNBA draft]]. After being drafted second overall, Fowles entered the Sky's rotation in the starting lineup and averaged 10.8 points, 7.6 rebounds per game and 2.1 blocks per game in her rookie season. However, her rookie season was shortened due to a knee injury as she played only 17 games with 14 starts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rethinkbball.blogspot.com/2008/07/winning-return-for-sylvia-fowles.html|title=A Winning Return For Sylvia Fowles Depends on Efficient Guard Play|first=Q.|last=Mccall}}</ref>

After establishing herself as a solid inside scorer, tenacious rebounder and elite rim protector in her rookie season, Fowles would earn her first career WNBA all-star selection in 2009. She averaged 11.3 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game and 1.5 blocks per game. However, injuries would once again shorten her season as she missed 10 games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/wnba-player-profile-sylvia-fowles-chicago-sky.html|title=WNBA player profile: Sylvia Fowles of the Chicago Sky}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/player/sylvia-fowles/|title=Sylvia Fowles|website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA}}</ref>

Fowles dunked on her second attempt during the [[2009 WNBA All-Star Game]] while representing the Eastern Conference after everyone on both teams cleared out of her way. Her first attempt clanged off the bottom of the rim. The game took place on July 25, 2009 at Mohegan Sun, the home of the [[Connecticut Sun]]. She is the third WNBA player to dunk in an all star game, following [[Michelle Snow]] in 2006 and [[Lisa Leslie]] in 2005.

During the 2010 season, Fowles scored a career-high 35 points in a 97–96 loss to the [[Phoenix Mercury]].<ref>{{Cite news |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409233811/https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-day/20100802/281998963747109 |url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-day/20100802/281998963747109 |title=WNBA Roundup |date=2 Aug 2010 |publisher=The Day |language=en |access-date=30 July 2023 |via=[[PressReader]] |url-status=live}}</ref> She had also led the league in blocks with a career-high average of 2.6 blocks per game. For her shot blocking efforts, she would be named to WNBA All-Defensive First Team.

In the 2011 season, Fowles was voted as a WNBA all-star for the second time in her career. She had averaged a double-double in points and rebounds for the whole season with a career-high 20 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game, she also led the league in blocks for the second year in the row, averaging 2.0 blocks per game. She would win WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2012, Fowles re-signed with the Sky to a multi-year deal once her rookie contract expired.<ref>[http://www.losangelessparks.com/sky/news/sylvia_fowles_resigns_2012_2012_04_12.html SYLVIA FOWLES RE-SIGNS WITH CHICAGO SKY]</ref>

In the 2014 season, Fowles averaged a double-double in points and rebounds for the fourth consecutive season, which would help the Sky make the playoffs. Fowles eventually would earn her first career Finals appearance as the Sky had advanced all the way to the WNBA Finals despite a 15–19 record and the number four seed in the Eastern Conference. The Sky faced the 29–5 [[Phoenix Mercury]] and were defeated in a 3-game sweep. It would be Fowles's final season playing with the Sky.

===Minnesota Lynx (2015–2022)===
[[File:Fowles Parker. 20161009.jpg|thumb|right|Fowles guarding [[Candace Parker]] in 2016. ''The New York Times'' says Fowles has "great agility and a spacious wingspan."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/30/sports/ncaabasketball/30fowles.html|title=A 6-6 Center Blooms at Louisiana State|author=Jeré Longman|date=March 30, 2007|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=October 10, 2016}}</ref>]]

Fowles turned down a contract extension offer with the Sky in September 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/sylvia-fowles-trade-demand-wnba-sitting-out-elena-delle-donne-sky-pokey-chatman/3au2yf09pkd21qz0zx2h98jam|title=As superstar Sylvia Fowles demands a trade, Sky see no limit in WNBA season|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=May 28, 2015 }}</ref> She requested a trade but no trade offers from other teams for her had been sufficient. She sat out the first half of the [[2015 WNBA season]] until she was traded to the [[Minnesota Lynx]] on July 27, 2015 as part of a three-team deal that sent [[Érika de Souza]] to the Sky and [[Damiris Dantas]] and [[Reshanda Gray]] to the [[Atlanta Dream]]. Joining forces with [[Maya Moore]], [[Seimone Augustus]] and [[Lindsay Whalen]], the Lynx were a powerhouse in the Western Conference, finishing first place and advancing all the way to the WNBA Finals, facing the [[Indiana Fever]]. With the series tied 2–2 in the decisive game 5, Fowles proved to be relentless against the Fever, scoring 20 points along with 11 rebounds in a 69–52 victory. She was named the WNBA Finals MVP as the Lynx won their third WNBA Championship in five years.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/12788620/chicago-sky-prepare-move-ahead-center-sylvia-fowles|title= Sky preparing to move on without Fowles|last1= Voepel|first1= Mechelle|date= May 2, 2015|website= [[ESPN]]|access-date= July 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/lynx-acquire-center-sylvia-fowles/|title=Lynx Acquire Center Sylvia Fowles|website=Minnesota Lynx}}</ref>

Following her first WNBA Championship victory, Fowles re-signed with the Lynx during free agency in February 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/minnesota-lynx-re-sign-center-sylvia-fowles/|title=Minnesota Lynx Re-Sign Center Sylvia Fowles|website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA}}</ref>

[[File:Fowles and Parker.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.7|Fowles and [[Candace Parker|Parker]]|alt=Two very tall women, Fowles at left straining for the ball, Parker beneath her, also straining]]

During the 2016 season, Fowles averaged 13.9 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game. She would win Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in her career. The Lynx remained a championship contending team, finishing with a franchise best 28–6 record. With the WNBA's new playoff format in effect, the Lynx were the number 1 seed in the league with a double-bye to the semi-finals (the last round before the WNBA Finals) facing the Phoenix Mercury. The Lynx defeated the Mercury in a 3-game sweep, advancing to the WNBA Finals for the fifth time in six years. The Lynx were up against the [[Los Angeles Sparks]], making it the second time in league history where two teams from the same conference faced each other in the Finals due to the new playoff format. However, the Lynx were defeated by the Sparks in a hard-fought five-game series.

In the 2017 season, Fowles would be the focal point of the Lynx's offense, leading the team in scoring. Fowles scored 26 points along with 10 rebounds in the Lynx's season home opener against her former team, the Chicago Sky in a 70–61 victory.<ref>{{Cite news |archive-date=August 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831043635/https://www.pressreader.com/usa/star-tribune/20170515/282024737187766 |url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/star-tribune/20170515/282024737187766 |title=Lynx win choppy season opener |date=May 15, 2017 |first=Kent |last=Youngblood |publisher=[[Star Tribune]] |language=en |access-date=29 July 2023 |via=[[PressReader]] |url-status=live}}</ref> On June 11, 2017, Fowles scored a season-high 30 points along with 9 rebounds in a 91–74 victory over the [[Dallas Wings]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/fowles-season-high-30-points-91-74-win-9-0-lynx/|title=Fowles Has Season-High 30 Points in 91-74 Win For 9-0 Lynx|website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA}}</ref> Fowles was also voted into the [[2017 WNBA All-Star Game]], making it her fourth career all-star appearance. On August 12, 2017, the Lynx made history as they defeated the Indiana Fever 111–52, marking it the largest margin of victory in WNBA history, they also exploded on a league record 37-0 scoring run during the game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/8/19/16170344/wnba-history-minnesota-routs-indiana-59-points|title=Lynx roar to WNBA history|first=Rene'|last=Kennedy|date=August 19, 2017|website=Swish Appeal}}</ref> Fowles finished off the season averaging a double-double in points and rebounds for the fourth time in her career and also led the league in field goal shooting for the fifth time in her career. The Lynx would once again finish with the league's best record of 27–7, earning the number 1 seed with a double-bye to the semi-finals. On September 14, 2017, the WNBA announced that Fowles won the [[WNBA Most Valuable Player Award]] (Fowles had received 35 of 40 first-place votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wnba.com/news/minnesotas-sylvia-fowles-named-2017-wnba-valuable-player/|title=Minnesota's Sylvia Fowles Named 2017 WNBA Most Valuable Player|access-date=September 15, 2017|date=September 14, 2017|publisher=WNBA}}</ref>

[[File:Fowles-20170914.jpg|thumb|Fowles and [[Elena Delle Donne]] of the [[Washington Mystics|Mystics]] during the 2017 semifinals]]

In the semi-finals, the Lynx defeated the [[Washington Mystics]] in a 3-game sweep, advancing to the WNBA Finals for the sixth time in seven years, setting up a rematch with the Sparks. With the series tied 2-2, Fowles set the Finals record for most rebounds in a game with 20 rebounds along with 17 points in Game 5 of the [[2017 WNBA Finals]], helping the Lynx win the game 85-76 and their fourth WNBA championship in seven years, tying the now-defunct [[Houston Comets]] for most championship titles. Fowles would also win her second Finals MVP award, becoming the fifth player in league history to win regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/10/4/16427354/sylvia-fowles-wnba-finals-stats-score|title=Sylvia Fowles took over the 2017 WNBA Finals and isn't going away anytime soon|first=Matt|last=Ellentuck|date=October 4, 2017|website=SBNation.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/game/20171004/LASMIN/|title=10/04/17: Los Angeles Sparks @ Minnesota Lynx|website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/fowles-finishes-perfect-season-finals-redemption/|title=Fowles Finishes Perfect Season With Finals Redemption|website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA}}</ref>

[[File:Sylvia Fowles in 2019 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Fowles in 2019|left|upright]]

On May 23, 2018, Fowles put on a historic performance in a 76–68 victory against the Dallas Wings in which scored 23 points along with 20 rebounds and 5 steals, becoming the first player in Lynx franchise history to have a 20-point, 20-rebound performance, secondly making it the 18th in league history and also marking the league's first ever stat line of 20 points, 20 rebounds and 5 steals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.twincities.com/2018/05/23/lynx-return-to-form-beat-dallas-to-move-to-1-1/|title=Sylvia Fowles' historic performance sparks Lynx to win over Dallas|date=May 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/sports-pmn/sylvia-fowles-has-23-points-20-rebounds-in-lynxs-win|title=Sylvia Fowles has 23 points, 20 rebounds in Lynx's win|newspaper=National Post|date=24 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swishappeal.com/2018/5/24/17387094/2018-wnba-hoops-happening-womens-basketball-recaps-links-sylvia-fowles-mvp-minnesota-lynx|title=Jewell Loyd had a monster game for the Seattle Storm but MVP Sylvia Fowles of the Minnesota Lynx made history|first=Tamryn|last=Spruill|date=May 24, 2018|website=Swish Appeal}}</ref> Fowles would be voted into the [[2018 WNBA All-Star Game]], making it her fifth all-star game appearance. On July 19, 2018, Fowles scored a season-high 30 points along with 16 rebounds in an 89–65 win over the Indiana Fever.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/professional/fowles-30-points-16-rebounds-guide-lynx-by-fever/article_57a092a3-5eb0-5721-8a2e-75e7aab8f3ff.html|title=Fowles' 30 points, 16 rebounds guide Lynx by Fever|agency=Associated Press|website=nwitimes.com|date=July 19, 2018 }}</ref> In 2018, Fowles was chosen [[All-WNBA Team|All-WNBA second team]], Associated Press [[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|WNBA Defensive Player of the Year]] for the 4th time, and she broke the single-season record for rebounds with 404.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lynx's Fowles named AP Defensive Player of the Year|date=August 21, 2018|access-date=August 23, 2018|url=https://www.foxsports.com/north/story/lynxs-fowles-named-ap-defensive-player-of-the-year-082118|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Fox Sports Interactive Media}}</ref> Fowles would lead the league in field goal percentage and rebounds and tied the record for highest rebound per game average in a season, but the Lynx finished 18–16 with the number 7 seed, making it the first time in 8 years they did not finish as a top 2 seed. They lost in the first round elimination game to the rival Los Angeles Sparks 75–68, ending their streak of three consecutive finals appearances.

In 2019, Fowles was voted into the [[2019 WNBA All-Star Game]], making it her sixth all-star appearance. On August 27, 2019, Fowles scored a season-high 25 points in a 93–85 victory against the Chicago Sky.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401105090|title=Chicago vs. Minnesota - Game Recap - August 27, 2019 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> On September 8, 2019, Fowles signed a multi-year contract extension with the Lynx.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/minnesota-lynx-announce-multi-year-contract-extension-with-sylvia-fowles/|title=Lynx Announce Multi-Year Contract Extension with Sylvia Fowles|website=Minnesota Lynx}}</ref> By the end of the season, Fowles led the league in field goal percentage for the third consecutive season. With Maya Moore sitting out the entire season, the Lynx were still a playoff team as they finished as the number 7 seed with a 18–16 record. The Lynx were eliminated in the first round elimination game 84–74 by the defending champion [[Seattle Storm]].

[[File:After the.jpg|thumb|Sylvia Fowles addresses fans during a tribute to her after her final home game before retiring]]

In 2020, the season was delayed and shortened to 22 games in a bubble at [[IMG Academy]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. On July 29, 2020, Fowles grabbed her 3,357th career rebound during the second game of the 2020 season to surpass [[Rebekkah Brunson]], who happened to be the assistant coach of the Lynx at the time, and became the WNBA all-time leading rebounder. She finished the game with 15 points and 10 rebounds, bringing her total career rebounds to 3,360.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sylvia Fowles becomes WNBA all-time rebounding leader|date=July 29, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/minnesota-lynx-sylvia-fowles-wnba-all-time-leading-rebounder-rebekkah-brunson-043826323.html|author=Young, Ryan|publisher=Fox Sports Interactive Media}}</ref> On August 14, 2020, Fowles suffered a calf injury and was ruled out indefinitely, causing her to miss the rest of the regular season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/lynx-announce-fowles-will-be-sidelined-indefinitely-with-calf-strain/572116812/|title=Lynx announce Sylvia Fowles will be sidelined 'indefinitely' with calf strain|website=Star Tribune|date=August 15, 2020 }}</ref> Fowles would make her return just in time for the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/29908174/minnesota-lynx-center-sylvia-fowles-return-calf-injury-thursday|title=Lynx's Fowles to return from injury vs. Mercury|date=September 17, 2020|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> The Lynx finished 14–8 with the number 4 seed, receiving a bye to the second round. In the second round elimination game, the Lynx beat the Phoenix Mercury 80–79, advancing the franchise back to the semi-finals. However, in the semi-finals, they would get swept by the Seattle Storm who would end up being the eventual champions, Fowles was unable to play for the entire series.

In 2021 Fowles won her fourth [[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|WNBA Defensive Player of the Year]] joining [[Tamika Catchings]] as the only player with 4 Defensive Player of the Year Awards averaging a career high 1.8 steals and also averaging 1.8 blocks. During that season, she was named to [[The W25]], the league's official list of the top 25 players of its first 25 seasons.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-continues-celebration-of-landmark-25th-season-names-greatest-players-in-league-history-the-w25/ |title=WNBA Continues Celebration Of Landmark 25th Season, Names Greatest Players In League History, "The W25" |publisher=WNBA |date=September 5, 2021 |accessdate=October 18, 2021}}</ref>

Fowles retired from the WNBA after the 2022 season with the Lynx. The WNBA bestowed the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award to Fowles in her final season in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Lynx' Sylvia Fowles Wins 2022 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award - WNBA |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/minnesota-lynx-sylvia-fowles-wins-2022-kim-perrot-sportsmanship-award |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> The Minnesota Lynx retired her jersey on June 11, 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lynx marks Sylvia Fowles jersey retirement with emotions, beatboxing, and a win - Sports Illustrated Minnesota Sports, News, Analysis, and More |language=en |work=Sports Illustrated Minnesota Sports, News, Analysis, and More |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/minnesota-lynx/lynx-marks-sylvia-fowles-jersey-retirement-with-emotions-beatboxing-and-a-win |access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> In 2023, the Lynx also created the Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award for the Lynx player who "best embodies the altruistic traits of kindness, selflessness and overall regard for the well-being of others throughout the community." The award is decided by a panel of team staff and players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Lynx Announce Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award |url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/minnesota-lynx-announce-sylvia-fowles-altruism-award/ |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=Minnesota Lynx |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, Fowles was also honored as part of the All-25 Team of the top 25 players in the team's history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Lynx Unveil Final Group of the All-25 Team |url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/minnesota-lynx-unveil-final-group-of-the-all-25-team/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=Minnesota Lynx |language=en}}</ref>

It was announced in November of 2024 that Fowles was named to the class of 2025 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. <ref name="WNBAHOF">{{Cite web |title= Lynx Legend and Two-Time WNBA Champion Sylvia Fowles Named to 2025 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame |url= https://lynx.wnba.com/news/lynx-legend-and-two-time-wnba-champion-sylvia-fowles-named-to-2025-womens-basketball-hall-of-fame/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=Minnesota Lynx |language=en}}</ref>

==Overseas career==
Fowles played for [[WBC Spartak Moscow|Spartak Moscow]] in [[Russia]] during the 2008–09 and 2009-10 WNBA off-seasons.
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/archive/wnba/news/overseas_0809.html|title=WNBA.com: Offseason 2008-09: Overseas Roster|website=www.wnba.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/archive/wnba/news/overseas_0910.html|title=WNBA.com: Offseason 2009-10: Overseas Roster|website=www.wnba.com}}</ref> Fowles played for [[Galatasaray women's basketball team|Galatasaray Medical Park]] of [[Turkey]] for three off-seasons from 2010 to 2013.<ref>[http://www.galatasaray.org/en/basketbol/haber/1015.php Two Newcomer Stars among Gala Women]</ref> In the 2013–14 and 2014-15 WNBA off-seasons, Fowles played in [[China]] for the Shanghai Swordfish.<ref name="asia-basket.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/China/news/321012/Shanghai-Octopus-announced-experienced-Sylvia-Fowles|title=Asian Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings|website=www.asia-basket.com}}</ref> Fowles had spent the second portion of the 2014-15 WNBA off-season in [[Turkey]] playing for Canik Belediyesi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Turkey/news/399948/Canik-Bld-signs-Sylvia-Fowles,-ex-Shanghai|title=Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings|website=www.eurobasket.com}}</ref><ref name="asia-basket.com"/> In the 2015-16 WNBA off-season, Fowles played once again in China for the Beijing Great Wall, leading the team to a championship<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/wnba-players-playing-overseas/|title=WNBA Players Playing Overseas|website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/fowles-leads-beijing-to-title/|title=Fowles Leads Beijing To Title|website=Minnesota Lynx}}</ref> As of August 2016, Fowles re-signed with Beijing for the 2016-17 off-season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.womensbasketball247.com/2016/08/2016-2017-wnba-overseas-signings/|title=2016-2017 WNBA Overseas Signings|date=August 22, 2016}}</ref> Fowles would lead Beijing to its second consecutive championship of the [[Women's Chinese Basketball Association]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/fowles-beijing-capture-wcba-title/|title=Fowles, Beijing Capture WCBA Title|website=Minnesota Lynx}}</ref> In 2017, Fowles would once again re-sign with Beijing for the 2017-18 off-season.<ref name="auto"/>

==USA basketball==
Fowles was a member of the team representing the US at the 2005 [[USA Women's World University Games Team|World University Games Team]] in Izmir, Turkey. In the game against China, she led her team in scoring with 23 points. In the semi-final against Russia, she led the team with 25 points, helping the team win 118–67. Fowles averaged 15.0 points per game, and 7.3 rebounds, both team highs, and helped the team to a 7–0 record, resulting in a gold medal at the event.<ref name="2005 WUG"/>

Fowles is a member of the [[United States women's national basketball team]] and she earned a gold medal at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]].

Fowles was again invited to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp in the fall of 2009.<ref name="National Team">{{cite web|url=http://usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=09_wnt_fall_invitees_add_rm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716050712/http://usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=09_wnt_fall_invitees_add_rm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 16, 2012|title=USA Basketball Women's National Team To Tip-Off Training Tomorrow In D.C.|publisher=USA Basketball|access-date=2009-10-01}}</ref> The team selected to play for the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics is usually chosen from these participants. At the conclusion of the training camp, the team  traveled to Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they competed in the 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational.<ref name="National Team" />

Fowles was named as one of the  National team members to represent the USA Basketball team in the WNBA versus USA Basketball.<ref name="USA All Star"/> This game replaces the normal WNBA All-Star game with WNBA All-Stars versus USA Basketball, as part of the preparation for the [[FIBA World Championship for Women]] to be held in the [[Czech Republic]] during September and October 2010.<ref name="World Championship 2010"/>

In 2010, Fowles was named to the national team which competed in the World Championships in [[Ostrava]], and [[Karlovy Vary]], [[Czech Republic]]. The team won all nine games to win the gold medal. They held all opponents to no more than 75 points, while scoring in triple digits four times. The win against Australia by eight points was the only game with a single digit margin of victory. Fowles averaged 8.9 points per game over the course of the tournament.<ref name="2010 WC"/>

Fowles was one of 21 finalists for the U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team Roster. The 20 professional women's basketball players, plus one collegiate player ([[Brittney Griner]]), were selected by the USA Basketball Women's National Team Player Selection Committee to compete for the final roster which would represent the US at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London, where the USA victory brought Fowles her second Olympic gold medal.<ref name="Olympic Roster finalists"/>

Fowles also played with Team USA for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in Rio, and won her third gold medal as USA beat [[Spain]] 101–72.

On June 21, 2021, Fowles was named to her fourth Olympic [[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's team rosters#United States|roster]] for [[United States women's national basketball team|Team USA]] for the [[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|2020 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jasmyn |last=Wimbish |title=Team USA women's basketball roster announced for 2020 Olympics, headlined by Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/team-usa-womens-basketball-roster-announced-for-2020-olympics-headlined-by-sue-bird-diana-taurasi/ |work=[[CBS Sports]] |date=June 21, 2021 |access-date=June 8, 2024}}</ref> She and Team USA went on to win the gold medal in the tournament (Fowles' fourth gold), defeating [[Japan women's national basketball team|Japan]] 90–75 in the final.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ava |last=Wallace |title=Dawn Staley and Sue Bird make sure their final USA Basketball moment is golden |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2021/08/08/dawn-staley-sue-bird-us-womens-basketball-olympic-gold/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 8, 2021|access-date=June 8, 2024}}</ref>

==Off the court==
In 2015, Fowles enrolled in a [[mortuary science]] program at the American Academy McAllister Institute, where she has online studies in embalming, cremation, and funeral directing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/sylvia-fowles-minnesota-lynx-wnba-finals-101416/|title=Meet Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota's Gentle Giant|website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA}}</ref> In 2025, she is working on completing her remaining credits and then taking her board exams. She plans to open her own funeral home somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucci |first=Amanda |date=June 13, 2025 |title=For retired WNBA star Sylvia Fowles, life after basketball involves death |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/for-retired-wnba-star-sylvia-fowles-life-after-basketball-involves-death/ar-AA1GFXP1?ocid=winp2fptaskbarent&cvid=b5ac1145b02848d4acd090213e4f3138&ei=6 |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref> Interested in the field since the death of her grandmother when she was a child, and holding funerals for her stuffed animals, she wants to present the deceased in an attractive way so that loved ones can say goodbye. Her hobby has been [[knit]]ting since she was 6.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sylvia Fowles, W.N.B.A. Star and Aspiring Funeral Director|author=Berkman, Seth|date=September 12, 2017|access-date=October 2, 2017|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/sports/basketball/wnba-sylvia-fowles-lynx.html}}</ref> She also loves bicycling. She gave some of her 2017 MVP bonus to a Saint Paul nonprofit to provide bikes for girls and also led a local bike ride.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-22 |title=Fowles donates some of MVP bonus to provide bikes to girls |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/09/22/sylvia-fowles-donates-mvp-bonus-provide-bikes-girls |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> She also led local bike rides in connection with her final WNBA season, and the Lynx gave fans a commemorative bike license plate at her final regular season home game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Lynx Unveil "Syl's Final Ride" Campaign for Fowles' Last Season - WNBA |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/minnesota-lynx-unveil-syls-final-ride-campaign-for-fowles-last-season |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=www.wnba.com}}</ref>

Fowles founded the Sylvia Fowles Family Fund in 2010 to help needy children. She is a spokesperson for the Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) and has two nephews who suffer from [[epilepsy]].<ref>{{cite news|author=McDuffie, Hannah|url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=211677685|date=November 10, 2017|access-date=November 10, 2017|title=IN FOCUS: Sylvia Fowles|publisher=LSU Athletics, Louisiana State University}}</ref>

==WNBA career statistics==
{{WNBA player statistics legend}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|†
|Denotes seasons in which Fowles won a [[WNBA Finals|WNBA championship]]
|-
|style="background:#E0CEF2; width:1em"|{{double dagger}}
|WNBA record
|}

===Regular season===
{{WNBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | [[2008 WNBA season|2008]]
| align="left" | [[Chicago Sky|Chicago]]
| 17 || 14 || 25.0 || .520 || .000 || .585 || 7.5 || 0.3 || 1.1 || 2.1 || 2.2 || 10.5
|-
| align="left" | [[2009 WNBA season|2009]]
| align="left" | [[Chicago Sky|Chicago]]
| 24 || 20 || 28.8 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|.599° || .000 || .646 || 7.8 || 0.8 || 0.9 || 1.5 || 3.2 || 11.3
|-
| align="left" | [[2010 WNBA season|2010]]
| align="left" | [[Chicago Sky|Chicago]]
| '''34''' || '''34''' || 32.0 || .582 || '''1.000''' || .760 || 9.9 || 1.5 || 1.2 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|'''2.6'''° || 2.4 || 17.8
|-
| align="left" | [[2011 WNBA season|2011]]
| align="left" | [[Chicago Sky|Chicago]]
| '''34''' || '''34''' || style="background:#D3D3D3"|'''34.6'''° || style="background:#D3D3D3"|.591° || .000 || .766 || 10.2 || 0.6 || 1.2 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|2.0° || 2.8 || '''20.0'''
|-
| align="left" | [[2012 WNBA season|2012]]
| align="left" | [[Chicago Sky|Chicago]]
| 25 || 25 || 31.1 ||style="background:#D3D3D3"|.638° || .000 || .692 || 10.4 || 0.8 || 1.3 || 1.2 || 2.1 || 16.2
|-
| align="left" | [[2013 WNBA season|2013]]
| align="left" | [[Chicago Sky|Chicago]]
| 32 || 32 || 31.3 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|.586° || .000 || .685 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|11.5° || 0.4 || 0.9 || 2.4 || 2.1 || 16.3
|-
| align="left" | [[2014 WNBA season|2014]]
| align="left" | [[Chicago Sky|Chicago]]
| 20 || 18 || 29.8 || .546 || .000 || .783 || 10.2 || 0.6 || '''1.4''' || 2.0 || 2.8 || 13.4
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"|  [[2015 WNBA season|2015]]<sup>†</sup>
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| 18 || 18 || 28.9 || .507 || .000 || .734|| 8.3 || 0.8 || 1.0 || 1.5 || 1.7 || 15.3
|-
| align="left" | [[2016 WNBA season|2016]]
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| '''34''' || '''34''' || 28.5 || .595 || .000 || .717 || 8.5 || 1.2 || 1.3 || 1.7 || 1.8|| 13.9
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| [[2017 WNBA season|2017]]<sup>†</sup>
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| '''34''' || '''34''' || 30.8 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|'''.655'''° || .000 || .768 || 10.4 || 1.5 || 1.2 || 1.9 || 2.4|| 18.9
|-
| align="left" | [[2018 WNBA season|2018]]
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| '''34''' || '''34''' || 31.9 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|.619° || .000 || .757 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|'''11.9''' || '''2.2''' || '''1.4''' || 1.2 || 3.0 || 17.7
|-
| align="left" | [[2019 WNBA season|2019]]
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| '''34''' || '''34''' || 29.5 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|.588° || .000 || .707 || 8.9|| 1.5 || 0.9 || 1.3 || 2.0 || 13.6
|-
| align="left" | [[2020 WNBA season|2020]]
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| 7 || 7 || 24.1 || .609 || .000 || '''.828''' || 9.7 || 0.9 || 0.9 || 1.1 || '''1.1''' || 14.6
|-
| align="left" | [[2021 WNBA season|2021]]
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| 31 || 31 || 30.1 || .640 || .000 || .755 || 10.1 || 1.4 || 1.8 || 1.8 || 2.3 || 16.0
|-
| align="left" | [[2022 WNBA season|2022]]
| align="left" | [[2022 Minnesota Lynx season|Minnesota]]
| 30 || 30 || 27.7 || .622 || .000 || .660 || 9.8 || 1.2 || 1.0 || 1.2 || 2.1 || 14.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" | 14 years, 2 teams
| 408 || 399 || 30.2 || bgcolor="EOCEF2" |.599{{double dagger}} || 1.000 || .728 || bgcolor="EOCEF2" |9.8{{double dagger}} || 1.1 || 1.2 || 1.8 || 2.4 || 15.7
{{S-end}}

===Postseason===
{{WNBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | [[2013 WNBA Playoffs|2013]]
| align="left" | [[Chicago Sky|Chicago]]
| 2 || 2 || 35.5 || .462 || .000 || .545 || style="background:#D3D3D3"|12.0° || 0.5 || '''2.0''' || '''2.0''' || 4.0 || 15.0
|-
| align="left" | [[2014 WNBA Playoffs|2014]]
| align="left" | [[Chicago Sky|Chicago]]
| 9 || 9|| 36.2 || .538 || .000 || .773 || 9.7 || 0.2 || 1.7 || 1.6 || 2.1 || 16.2
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"|  [[2015 WNBA Playoffs|2015]]<sup>†</sup>
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| '''10'''  || '''10'''  || 30.9 || .622|| .000 || .750 || 9.7 || 1.2 || 0.9 || 1.6 || 2.5 || 12.6
|-
| align="left" | [[2016 WNBA Playoffs|2016]]
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| 8 || 8 || 31.4 || .611|| .000 || .750 || 9.8 ||1.3 || 0.8 || 1.7 ||1.5|| 12.9
|-
|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| [[2017 WNBA Playoffs|2017]]<sup>†</sup>
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| 8 || 8 || 35.4 || .631|| .000 || .559 || '''13.1''' ||1.5|| 1.6 || '''2.0'''||2.9|| '''18.6'''
|-
| align="left" | [[2018 WNBA Playoffs|2018]]
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
|1  || 1 || '''37.8''' || .636 || .000 || ''''1.000''' || 12.0 ||'''3.0''' || 0.0 || 1.0 ||5.0|| 18.0
|-
| align="left" | [[2019 WNBA Playoffs|2019]]
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
|1  || 1 || 23.5 || .538 || .000 || .000 || 11.0 ||0.0 || 0.0 || '''2.0''' ||3.0|| 14.0
|-
| align="left" | [[2020 WNBA Playoffs|2020]]
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
|1  || 1 || 18.0 || .250 || .000 || '''1.000''' || 4.0 ||1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 ||'''1.0'''|| 6.0
|-
| align="left" | [[2021 WNBA Playoffs|2021]]
| align="left" | [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]]
| 1 || 1 || 32.0 || '''.667''' || .000 || .833 || 8.0 || 2.0 || 1.0 || '''2.0'''||'''1.0'''|| 17.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |9 years, 2 teams
| 41 || 41 || 33.0 || .584 || .000 || .712 || 10.4 || 1.0 || 1.2 || 1.7 || 2.4 || 14.9
{{S-end}}

==Awards and honors==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*2005 [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] Sixth Woman of the Year
*2005 Second-team All-SEC
*2005 SEC All-Freshman
*2005 Honorable Mention All-America (AP)
*2005 & 2006 First-team All-Louisiana
*2005 Louisiana Freshman of the Year
*2006 First-team All-SEC
*2006 Third-team All-American (AP)
*2007 SEC All-Tournament Team
*2007 First-team All-American (ESPN.com, Wooden Award, USBWA)
*2007 Second-team All-American (AP)
*2007 Kodak All-America
*2007 First-team All-SEC
*2007 Fresno Regional MOP
*Member of the 2007 United States Senior National Team in Italy
{{col-2}}
*Member of the 2006 United States Senior National Team in Australia
*Member of the 2005 United States World University Games Gold Medal Team
*2008 [[WBCA Defensive Player of the Year|WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year]]<ref name="Defensive POY"/>
*2008 SEC Player of the Year
*2009 [[2009 WNBA All-Star Game|WNBA All-Star Selection]]
*2010 [[2010 WNBA All-Star Game|WNBA All-Star Selection]]
* [[2010 WNBA All-Star Game|2010]] [[WNBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award]]
* [[EuroLeague Women 2010–11]] All-Star MVP Award<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/europe/euroleaguewomen/2017|title=EuroLeague Women 2017 - Competition schedule, results, stats, teams and players profile, news, photos and videos.|website=FIBA.basketball}}</ref>
* 2011 [[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|WNBA Defensive Player of the Year]]
* 2013 [[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|WNBA Defensive Player of the Year]]
* 2016 [[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|WNBA Defensive Player of the Year]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.excellesports.com/news/sylvia-fowles-wins-wnba-defensive-player-of-the-year/|title=Sylvia Fowles wins WNBA Defensive Player of the Year|date=2016-09-30|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-01}}</ref>
* 2021: [[The W25]] (top 25 WNBA players of all time)
* 2025: Inductee to the [[Women's Basketball Hall of Fame]]
{{col-end}}

==See also==
* [[WNBA records]]
* [[List of WNBA career rebounding leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="WBCA Box Scores">{{cite web|title=WBCA High School All-America Game Box Scores|url=http://www.wbca.org/pages/AWARDS_high_school_all-america_game_box_scores|publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association|access-date=29 Jun 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715064856/http://www.wbca.org/pages/AWARDS_high_school_all-america_game_box_scores|archive-date=2014-07-15}}</ref>

<ref name="2005 WUG">{{cite web|title=Twenty-Second World University Games -- 2005|url=http://www.usab.com/history/world-university-games-womens/twenty-second-world-university-games-2005.aspx|publisher=USA Basketball|access-date=13 October 2015| archive-url     = https://web.archive.org/web/20150907032421/http://www.usab.com/history/world-university-games-womens/twenty-second-world-university-games-2005.aspx| archive-date    =7 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="USA All Star">{{cite web|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/national/10_wnt_sats_roster.html|title=Six Olympic Gold Medalists Among 11-Member Team Set To Participate In WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Stars at the Sun Game|date=30 June 2010|publisher=USA Basketball|access-date=5 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707014943/http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/national/10_wnt_sats_roster.html|archive-date=7 July 2010}}</ref>

<ref name="World Championship 2010">{{cite web|url=http://czechrepublic2010.fiba.com/|title=FIBA World Championship for Women|publisher=FIBA|access-date=5 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710034115/http://czechrepublic2010.fiba.com/|archive-date=10 July 2010}}</ref>

<ref name="2010 WC">{{cite web|title=Sixteenth World Championship For Women -- 2010|date=October 15, 2013|url=http://www.usab.com/history/national-team-womens/sixteenth-world-championship-for-women-2010.aspx|publisher=USA Basketball|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905195252/http://www.usab.com/history/national-team-womens/sixteenth-world-championship-for-women-2010.aspx|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref>

<ref name="Olympic Roster finalists">{{cite web|title=Twenty-One Finalists In The Mix For Final 2012 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team Roster|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/national/12_woly_21_finalists.html|publisher=USA Basketball|access-date=13 February 2012|date=February 13, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216201120/http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/national/12_woly_21_finalists.html|archive-date=16 February 2012}}</ref>

<ref name="Defensive POY">{{cite web|title=WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year|url=http://www.wbca.org/pages/AWARDS_defensive-player-of-year_d1|publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association|access-date=1 Jul 2014}}</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Basketballstats|wbbr=f/fowlesy01w|wnba=sylvia-fowles}}
*[http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27833&SPID=2167&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=174287&Q_SEASON=2006 LSUSports.net biography]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070111065900/http://www.bigsyl34.com/ Official LSU National Player of the Year Promotional Site]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080902005057/http://www.bdasports.com/ssp/athletes?bio=160 BDA Sports - BDA Athletes]
*[https://www.usab.com/players/sylvia-fowles Sylvia Fowles] at [[USA Basketball]]
*{{Team USA|new_id=sylvia-fowles-908076|old_id=Sylvia-Fowles|sport=usa-basketball|archive=20230328223211}}
*{{Olympedia}}
*{{Olympics.com profile|sylvia-fowles}}

{{Navboxes|title= Awards and Achievements|list1=
{{S-start}}
{{S-ach}}
{{Succession box| title=[[WNBA Peak Performers|WNBA Peak Performer (Rebounding)]] | before=[[Tina Charles (basketball)|Tina Charles]] | years=[[2013 WNBA season|2013]] season | after=Incumbent}}
{{S-end}}
{{Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame members}}
{{2025 Basketball HOF}}
{{2008 WNBA draft}}
{{Footer 2008 Olympic Champions Basketball Women}}
{{United States Women's Basketball 2010 FIBA Champions}}
{{United States Women Basketball Squad 2012 Summer Olympics}}
{{United States Women Basketball Squad 2016 Summer Olympics}}
{{United States Women Basketball Squad 2020 Summer Olympics}}
{{The W25}}
{{WNBA All-Star Game MVP Award}}
{{WNBA blocks leaders}}
{{WNBA rebounding leaders}}
{{WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award}}
{{WNBA Finals MVP}}
{{WNBA MVP}}
{{Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award}}
{{Chicago Sky navbox}}
{{WBC Spartak Moscow Region 2008–09 Euroleague Women champions}}
{{WBC Spartak Moscow Region 2009–10 Euroleague Women champions}}
{{Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year navbox}}
{{WBCA Defensive Player of the Year}}
{{Minnesota Lynx 2015 WNBA Champions}}
{{Minnesota Lynx 2017 WNBA Champions}}
{{Beijing Great Wall 2015–16 Champions}}
{{Beijing Great Wall 2016–17 Champions}}
{{Beijing Great Wall 2017–18 Champions}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fowles, Sylvia}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:All-American college women's basketball players]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in China]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Russia]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Turkey]]
[[Category:American women's basketball players]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2020 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Miami]]
[[Category:Beijing Great Wall players]]
[[Category:Centers (basketball)]]
[[Category:Chicago Sky draft picks]]
[[Category:Chicago Sky players]]
[[Category:Galatasaray S.K. (women's basketball) players]]
[[Category:Gulliver Preparatory School alumni]]
[[Category:LSU Tigers women's basketball players]]
[[Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Minnesota Lynx players]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball]]
[[Category:Parade High School All-Americans (girls' basketball)]]
[[Category:Shanghai Swordfish players]]
[[Category:United States women's national basketball team players]]
[[Category:WNBA All-Stars]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportswomen]]