From Miami's housing projects to the WNBA's all-time rebounding record holder
In short: Sylvia Fowles grew up in some of Miami-Dade's toughest neighborhoods before dominating the basketball court. A relentless force inside the paint, she became a multi-time champion and a rare dual-threat MVP, eventually etching her name into history as the league's most prolific rebounder.
Born in Miami, Florida, on October 6, 1985, Sylvia Fowles rose from the Victory Home Housing Projects to become one of the most decorated players in WNBA history. During her time at LSU, she made an instant impression, notably as the sixth female to perform a dunk in US college basketball, occurring on November 21, 2007, against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Fowles' professional career is defined by defensive dominance and statistical milestones. She was selected 2nd overall in the 2008 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky, but it was with the Minnesota Lynx that she reached her peak. In 2017, she achieved the rare distinction of winning both the WNBA MVP and the WNBA Finals MVP in a single season, leading the Lynx to their fourth championship.
Her ability to control the glass is unparalleled. Fowles moved past Rebekkah Brunson in 2020 to hold the WNBA's all-time rebounding record, grabbing her 3,357th board while facing the Phoenix Mercury. Her accolades include four WNBA Defensive Player of the Year awards (2011, 2013, 2016, 2021) and two WNBA championships (2015, 2017). Her status was solidified in 2025 when she entered both the Naismith Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
Beyond her scoring and rebounding, Fowles was a consistent force in the paint, often averaging double-doubles in points and rebounds. Her impact was so significant that LSU retired her number 34 jersey in the 2017–18 season, making her only the second women's basketball player in the school's history to receive the honor.
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