Lynx great Sylvia Fowles celebrated as team raises her No. 34 to rafters - ESPN

MINNEAPOLIS — For the past year, Sylvia Fowles has enjoyed all the things she craved during her decorated WNBA career.

The former Minnesota Lynx star — who won four Olympic gold medals, two WNBA titles, WNBA Finals MVP (twice), four WNBA Defensive Player of the Year honors and an MVP — finally had more time to see family and friends. She was also a diligent auntie who took her nieces and nephews to school. And she relaxed after a pro career that began in 2008 and ended in 2022 when she retired.

On Sunday, Lynx fans — many of whom wore «Sweet Syl» headbands — cheered for Fowles during a jersey retirement ceremony at the Target Center in Minneapolis that highlighted one of the greatest careers in basketball history.

«My life changed once I got here. I think I hit my peak,» said Fowles, the WNBA's career rebounding leader, when her No. 34 jersey was unveiled in the rafters after the Lynx secured their first home win of the season with a 91-86 decision over the Los Angeles Sparks. «This organization was everything I needed it to be from top to bottom. And then I was coming in with these [teammates] who took nothing less than great. We fight, we fuss, but when we came between these four lines, we battled — and it was [a problem] for other teams.»

Fowles enjoyed a lengthy celebration in the same building where she helped the Lynx become a dynasty that won four WNBA titles in seven seasons. Fowles, who won Finals MVP during the team's title runs in 2015 and 2017, was joined by some of the other Lynx stars — including Rebekkah Brunson, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore — who fueled the most successful run in Minnesota sports history.

«It was a joy playing with you, and the legacy that you leave is a very high one