Sylvia Fowles Showstopper
In her fourth year with the Chicago Sky, Fowles continues to better herself, better her teammates, and break records and win much-deserved awards. Her performance this year was beyond impressive and she was rewarded with a 2011 WNBA All-Second Team nod and she headlined the 2011 WNBA All Defensive Team as well as 2011 being named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award. In fact, it has only been matched one other time. Sylvia is only the second player in WNBA history to average 20 points and 10 rebounds in a season. Chamique Holdsclaw, with 20 points and 10 rebounds for Washington in 2003, is the only other player to achieve this feat.
Fowles set multiple WNBA records and Sky records. She recorded eight consecutive double doubles in August setting a WNBA record for a single season. Her 68 consecutive games scoring in double figures is the longest active streak in the league. Her total points this season (680) breaks her own Sky record of 606 set in 2010. Sylvia also demonstrated that she can also play some stellar defense. All 347 rebounds she recorded this year helped her career total increase to 1,000 setting yet another Sky record. Her eight blocks against Atlanta on July 16 set a career and team high for blocks in a game. Those numbers won Fowles the 2011 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. With many impressive games this season there are a few that stand out - July 5 versus Washington where Sylvia scored 34 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and July 16 at Atlanta where Sylvia recorded 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked 8 shots.
What sets Fowles apart from many is that she is constantly trying to improve her game. She never stays complacent.
�You have to have some bad games,� Fowles said after a game in June. �But you have to learn from it and keep pushing through.�
Sylvia is a powerhouse at both ends of the court with still more potential and the 2012 season can not get here soon enough.
Sky Records Broken:
Total Points in a Season- 680
(Previous high: Fowles 606 in 2010)
Total Points in a Half- 21 (tied)
(Previous high: Fowles 21 in 2010)
Scoring Average in a Season- 20.0
(Previous high: Fowles 17.8 in 2010)
Consecutive Games Scoring 20+ Points- 7
(Previous high: Dupree 4 in 2007)
Field Goals Made in a Season- 263
(Previous high: Fowles 228 in 2010)
Free Throws Made in a Season- 154
(Previous high: Fowles 149 in 2010)
Free Throws Attempted in a Season: 201
(Previous high: Fowles 196 in 2010)
Free Throws Made in a Game- 14
(Previous high: Canty 12 in 2007)
Free Throws Attempts in a Game- 17
(Previous high: Canty 14 in 2007)
Blocks in a Game- 8
(Previous high: Fowles 5 � 3 times)
Total Rebounds in a Career- 1,000
(Previous high: Dupree 980)
Total Rebounds in a Season- 347
(Previous high: Fowles 338 in 2010)
Offensive Rebounds in a Season- 100
(Previous high: Melvin 85 in 2008)
Defensive Rebounds in a Career- 746
(Previous high: Dupree 693)
Double-Doubles in a Season- 22
(Previous high: Fowles 14 in 2010)
Minutes Played in a Season- 1,175
(Previous high: Dupree 1,119 in 2008)
WNBA Records Broken:
Consecutive Double Doubles in a Season - 8
Fowles is the second player in WNBA history to average 20 points and 10 rebounds in a season.
Fowles� 68 consecutive games scoring in double figures is the longest active streak in the WNBA and 4th longest in history.
Fowles� 11 made free throws in the fourth quarter at Seattle (9/11/11) tired Shavonte Zellous (6/26/09) mark for most all-time in the WNBA in one quarter.
Click to view other Sky players year in review features:
Cathrine Kraayeveld
Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton
Dominique Canty
Erin Thorn
Shay Murphy
Carolyn Swords
Courtney Vandersloot
Michelle Snow
Epiphanny Prince
Tamera Young