On the court, Sylvia Fowles was known as “Big Syl.” A 6-foot-6 center, the former MVP was known for her ability to battle for rebounds and block shots.
Off the court, she was “Mama Syl.” She was a veteran presence who loved to work with younger players and help them develop into future stars.
And now for the first time, Fowles will be “Coach Syl.”
On monday morning,the Portland Fire announced she will join the staff as the team’s newest assistant coach. She joins Alex Sarama’s staff alongside brittni Donaldson, who is both an assistant coach and assistant general manager.
The Portland Fire announced the hiring of Sylvia Fowles as an assistant coach on Monday, dec. 22, 2025.
Sarama has limited experience with professional women’s basketball and Fowles’ hire is practically the polar opposite. Fowles will be a first-time coach, but the WNBA veteran was one of the most respected leaders and post presences during her playing career.
After playing collegiately at LSU, Fowles was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in 2008 by the Chicago Sky and spent six years there. She was traded to Minnesota in 2015 and helped lead the Lynx on a legendary run.
Minnesota won WNBA Championships in 2015 and 2017 and Fowles was named finals MVP both years. In 2017, Fowles averaged 18.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and two blocks per game and was named WNBA MVP.
When she retired in 2022, Fowles was the WNBA’s all-time leader in rebounds, an eight-time WNBA All-Star, a three-time All-WNBA First Team selection, a four-time WNBA Defensive Player of the year and an eight-time all-WNBA Defensive team selection. she was inducted into the Naismith memorial Hall of fame in 2025.
“sylvia is a legend of the game,” Sarama said in a news release. “Her experience, leadership, and understanding of the league will be critical as we continue to build the identity of this team and design our principles of play. Sylvia sets an elite standard, has a deep connection to this league, and brings a player-first perspective that will elevate everyone in our program.”
When it came down to choosing her landing spot for where to start her coaching career, Sylvia Fowles said the decision was easy as she was already planning on a move fr
Sylvia Fowles’ Legacy Extends Beyond the court: Leadership, Coaching Aspirations, and a Unique Post-Playing Pursuit
Sylvia Fowles, a legendary figure in WNBA basketball, recently retired from the Minnesota Lynx after a decorated 15-year career. beyond her accomplishments on the court – including a WNBA championship in 2017, two Finals MVP awards, and four Defensive Player of the Year awards – Fowles is leaving a lasting impact through her leadership and exploring a surprising new path in mortuary science.
Throughout her career, fowles was known for her dominant presence and quiet leadership.https://www.wwnba.com/news/sylvia-fowles-reflects-on-career-and-future-plans/ However, she is also pursuing a long-held fascination with a very different field: embalming and funeral directing.
This interest stems from a childhood experience. When Fowles was approximately 5 or 6 years old, she attended her grandmother’s funeral. She recalls being asked to kiss her grandmother before the casket was closed, and afterward experiencing an allergic reaction. Initially,she mistakenly believed the reaction was due to something done during the embalming process.
This sparked a curiosity that led her to investigate the process of embalming, and combined with a lifelong interest in styling hair and dressing family members, blossomed into a serious pursuit. fowles has since begun taking classes to earn a mortuary science degree. Keep reading