Sylvia Fowles has always deflected praise onto others. The great Minnesota Lynx couldn’t escape the spotlight when the team retired its jersey Sunday night.
The jersey retirement ceremony capped off a reunion weekend for the Lynx, which honored the 25 greatest players in franchise history, including Fowles, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus and Rebekkah Brunson.
«It’s hard because I don’t normally talk about myself. I am who I am because of the people in my life,» Fowles said. «It’s about me, but I wouldn’t be the same without those people who helped me along the way.»
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Sylvia Fowles smiles during her jersey retirement ceremony on June 11, 2023 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Now his number 34 jersey is with everyone except Moore, whose number will likely be retired in the future.
«I’ve never been one to chase goals, chase a lot of records,» Fowles said. «To see who I’m next to the rafters, it’s a great thing I’ve done my job.»
The 6-foot-6 center won titles in 2015 and 2017 and earned WNBA Finals MVP honors both times. Fowles retired after last season.
REMOVED STORM SUE BIRD’S NO. 10 IN THE POST-GAME CEREMONY AFTER LOSS TO MYSTICS
Sylvia Fowles smiles during her jersey retirement ceremony on June 11, 2023 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
She was drafted second by the Chicago Sky in 2008 before being traded midway through the 2015 season to the Lynx. Fowles spent the last eight years of his 15-year career with Minnesota.
«Missing half the season because you had such a strong feeling about being a Lynx,» Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. «That says a lot and that it started with her making that determination, and then her actions, her words, it’s all exemplified to the nth degree… She’s been everything we’ve hoped for and then some.»
She finished her career as the WNBA’s all-time rebounding leader with 4,007. She holds the league record for double-doubles (193) and was the MVP in 2017.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Sylvia Fowles speaks during her jersey retirement ceremony on June 11, 2023 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
«I don’t know a more dominant player who is as sweet as pie,» Moore said during the retirement ceremony.
Fowles was named the league’s defensive player of the year four times and was an eight-time All-Star. He also helped the United States win four Olympic gold medals.
On Sunday, the team she helped build into a dynasty posted its first home victory of the season, 91-86 over the Los Angeles Sparks. Minnesota rallied from a late 11-point deficit.