Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles named the 2017 WNBA Most Valuable Player
Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles is the 2017 WNBA Most Valuable Player. A 10-year veteran, Fowles earned her first-ever MVP award. She is the second winner for the Lynx, joining teammate Maya Moore (2014).
Fowles received 35 of 40 first-place votes from a national media panel. New York Liberty forward Tina Charles earned three first-place votes and finished second. Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker received the other two first-place votes and was third.
Fowles’ 2017 accolades:
- Ranked fifth in the WNBA in scoring (18.9 ppg), second in rebounding (10.4 rpg) and tied for second in blocked shots (1.97 bpg) this season. She also shared the league lead in double-doubles with Connecticut Sun forward/center Jonquel Jones (20).
- Led all players in field goal percentage (65.5) for the fifth time in her career (2009, 2011-13). Only two other players have led the league in as many as two seasons (Washington’s Murriel Page, 1999-00; and Minnesota’s Tamika Williams, 2003-04).
- Set single-season career highs in field goal percentage, offensive rebounds (123) and assists (52). Her totals of 644 points, 354 rebounds, 254 made field goals and 44 steals were the second-highest totals in her career.
- Pulled down her 2500th career rebound in an 81-72 victory over Atlanta on August 8 as she finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds.
- Scored the 4000th point of her WNBA career in an 81-66 win against Phoenix on July 16.
- Named Western Conference Player of the Week five times this season and earned the Western Conference Player of the Month award for May, June and July.
In honor of being named the WNBA Most Valuable Player, Fowles will receive $15,000 and a specially designed trophy.
