The Portland Fire’s coaching staff just added a huge name.
On Wednesday, ESPN first reported that Sylvia Fowles will be coming on as an assistant coach for the WNBA’s newest franchise.
This will be Fowles’ first coaching job after retiring from professional basketball, as she joins a staff led by Alex Sarama.
Fowles’ career in the WNBA spanned back 15 years. She played with the Chicago Sky from 2008-14 and then played with the Minnesota Lynx from 2015 until retiring in 2022.
Fowles is a two-time WNBA Champion, winning in 2015 and 2017 with the Minnesota Lynx. In both years, Fowles was named Finals MVP.
She’s also an eight-time WNBA All-Star, a three-time selection for the All-WNBA First Team, a four-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and an eight-time All-WNBA Defensive First Team selection. Fowles led the WNBA in rebounds three times and blocks twice.
In 15 years in the WNBA, Fowles averaged 15.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
Outside of WNBA play, Fowles is also a four-time Olympic gold medalist, playing on Team USA’s squads in the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
She’s a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Fowles joins a small staff that also currently includes Brittni Donaldson as an assistant coach and assistant general manager.
The Fire are scheduled to start play in the 2026 season.