Lynx greats Sylvia Fowles celebrated as the team lifted her No. 34 to the rafters

MINNEAPOLIS — Over the past year, Sylvia Fowles has enjoyed all the things she craved during her decorated WNBA career.

The former Minnesota Lynx star — who won four Olympic gold medals, two WNBA titles, a WNBA Finals MVP (twice), and four WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and MVP awards — finally had more time to see family and friends. She was also a hardworking aunt who took her nieces and nephews to school. And she relaxed after her professional career, which began in 2008 and ended in 2022, when she retired.

On Sunday, Lynx fans — many of whom wore Sweet Syl headbands — cheered Fowles during a jersey retirement ceremony at Target Center in Minneapolis that highlighted one of the greatest careers in basketball history.

“My life changed once I got here. I think I hit my peak,” said WNBA career recovery leader Fowles, when her No. 34 jersey was revealed in the rafters after the Lynx hit their first home win of the season with a 91-86 record. A decision on the Los Angeles Sparks. “This organization was all I needed to be top-down. And then I would deal with those [teammates] who take nothing less than great. We fight, we fuss, but when we got between these four lines, we fought – and that was it [a problem] to other teams.”

Fowles enjoyed a long celebration in the same building as she helped the Lynx become a dynasty that won four WNBA titles in seven seasons. Fowles, who won Finals MVP honors during the team championships in 2015 and 2017, joins some other Lynx stars — including Rebekkah Brunson, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore — who have fueled the most successful run in Minnesota sports history.

“It’s been a pleasure playing with you, and the legacy you’ve left is a very big one, and it’s really losing those players,” said Moore, the former UConn and Lynx forward who officially retired from the WNBA in January. “Well done. You should be proud of yourself. I love you.”

Whalen, who was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022, said Fowles had a kind personality that contrasted with her ferocity on the court.

“We needed it, and we sure don’t have it in 2015 Lynx great Sylvia Fowles celebrated as team raises her No. 34 to rafters And we don’t have 2017 [championship] “Without her,” Wallen said of Fowles, who joined the team in 2015 after spending her first seven seasons with the Chicago Sky. “With that, I think she became the greatest center of all time.”

Fowles stayed in touch with the Lynx and basketball in retirement by mentoring some of the team’s players. Before training camp this season, I worked with current Lynx standout Navissa Collier, who said the team is itching for a win for the Lynx legend on Sunday.

“We wanted to get this win, especially for [Fowles’] Collier said after the effort from behind.

Fowles said she wants to continue to take advantage of retirement and the extra time she has now. She said she would stay close to the match but would not go into training “just yet”.

Before leaving the stage during the ceremony, she thanked the fans who have supported her and Lynx during their amazing run.

“I haven’t forgotten all of you,” she said as fans shouted to her. “You guys are amazing. I don’t think people understand the ability of Minnesota Lynx fans.”