Free-agent center Sylvia Fowles has signed a deal to return to the Minnesota Lynx for what will be her 15th and final WNBA season, the team announced Tuesday.
Tuesday was the first official day WNBA free agents could sign with teams.
Fowles, the 2017 league MVP, has won two titles with the Lynx, in 2015 and 2017. She was WNBA Finals MVP both years. Fowles, who turned 36 in October, won her fourth Olympic gold medal with Team USA last August.
She is the WNBA's career leader in rebounds (3,712), field goal percentage (59.7%) and double-doubles (180). She is 13th on the career scoring list with 5,983 points.
"Sylvia is a franchise leader both on and off the court, and her heart is such a big part of this Minnesota family and fanbase," Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor said. "We are elated that she will spend her final year with the Lynx and look forward to celebrating Syl and her illustrious career throughout the season."
Fowles won her fourth WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award last season, tying her with former Indiana star Tamika Catchings for most times winning that honor. Fowles averaged 16.0 points and 10.1 rebounds last season, the sixth time she has averaged a double-double over a full season, the most in WNBA history. She also led the league in field goal percentage (64.0%) for the eighth time in her career.
Even though she's still one of the league's best players, Fowles contemplated retiring after the 2021 season but then opted to come back.
"There are a few reasons why I chose to play another year," Fowles said. "The main reason for my return had a lot to do with our fans. I wanted to make sure I gave them the opportunity to see me play my final season. It feels right that my playing career finishes in Minnesota; there's nowhere else I'd rather be."
Fowles helped lead LSU to four consecutive Final Four appearances in 2005-08 and was drafted No. 2 by Chicago behind only Tennessee's Candace Parker in 2008. Fowles spent her first seven seasons with the Sky, going to the 2014 WNBA Finals.
She was ready for a change of scenery, though, and sat out the first part of the 2015 season waiting for a requested trade to Minnesota. She joined the Lynx in July 2015 and helped lead them to their third league championship. The Lynx fell in the 2016 WNBA Finals to Los Angeles, but then beat the Sparks in the 2017 Finals for Minnesota's fourth title.
Fowles is the last remaining member of the Lynx's championship core, as Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen and Rebekkah Brunson have retired. Maya Moore hasn't officially retired, but has not played in the WNBA since 2018.
"I cannot [overstate] our appreciation for not only Sylvia Fowles the basketball player but more importantly, Sylvia Fowles the person," Minnesota coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve said. "Her loyalty and belief in our franchise is beyond measure. I am thrilled that Syl is returning to the Lynx for her final season in the WNBA and look forward to her continuing to etch her mark as the greatest center in WNBA history."