Minnesota Lynx legend Sylvia Fowles returning for final WNBA season in 2022
Fowles is one of the best centers the WNBA has ever seen

Maya Moore is still away from the game indefinitely, while Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen and Rebekkah Brunson have all retired. But Sylvia Fowles isn't joining the rest of those Minnesota Lynx legends on the sideline. At least not yet. On Tuesday, the team announced Fowles is coming back for the 2022 season, which will be her last in the WNBA.
"I cannot understate our appreciation for not only Sylvia Fowles the basketball player, but more importantly, Sylvia Fowles the person," Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve said. "Her loyalty and belief in our franchise is beyond measure. I am thrilled that Syl is returning to the Lynx for her final season in the WNBA and look forward to her continuing to etch her mark as the greatest center in WNBA history."
Arguably the best center the WNBA has ever seen, Fowles has accomplished just about everything possible in basketball. She has two titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, four Defensive Player of the Year Awards (second-most all time), seven All-Star appearances, seven All-WNBA appearances and 10 All-Defensive appearances. She's also the league's all-time leading rebounder, and was a member of the 25th anniversary team that was announced last year.
Now 36 years old, Fowles proved last season she's still one of the best players around, as she won Defensive Player of the Year and led the Lynx to the No. 4 seed, while putting up 16 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. After the season, however, she wasn't sure if she would return, and noted she had to sit down and discuss some things with Reeve. Ultimately, Fowles has decided to come back, in large part because of the fans.
"There are a few reasons why I chose to play another year," Fowles said. "The main reason for my return had a lot to do with our fans. I wanted to make sure I gave them the opportunity to see me play my final season. It feels right that my playing career finishes in Minnesota; there's nowhere else I'd rather be."
Never flashy or one to put up big numbers -- her career-high is 27 points -- Fowles has been a model of consistency throughout her career. She shows up every night and goes about her business of dominating the paint on both ends of the floor. If this is truly it for her, she deserves every bit of the retirement tour she's going to get this season.
















