Sylvia Fowles is a former professional basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). In 2020, Fowles overtook Rebekkah Brunson to become the WNBA's career leader in rebounds.

Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, Fowles played college basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU), where she established herself as a formidable center. Her collegiate career was marked by numerous accolades, including being named an All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. She played a crucial role in leading LSU to consecutive Final Four appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

In the 2008 WNBA Draft, Fowles was selected as the second overall pick by the Chicago Sky. From the early stages of her professional career, Fowles established herself as one of the league's premier centers with her defensive skills, shot-blocking ability, and scoring efficiency.

In 2015, Fowles was traded to the Minnesota Lynx, where she led the team to win the WNBA Championship in 2015 and 2017; she was named the MVP of the WNBA Finals both times. She won the league's MVP Award in 2017 and the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times (2011, 2013, 2016, 2021).

Fowles was also a member of the United States women's national basketball team and earned a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. She went on to earn her second, third and fourth gold medals at the 2012 Olympics in London, the 2016 Olympics in Rio and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Off the court, Fowles has been recognized for her leadership and sportsmanship. She has also been actively involved in community initiatives, using her platform to advocate for positive social change. She founded the Sylvia Fowles Family Fund to help needy children and she is a spokesperson for the Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE).

Basketball, Sports, Athlete, College, Olympic Sports, Award-Winning Athlete, Black History, African-American Women, Sports Speakers, Women, WNBA