Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles has been named the 2021 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year — her fourth time winning the award — the WNBA announced on Sunday morning.
Fowles joins Tamika Catchings, who received the award fives times, as the only four-time recipients of the defensive award.
Fowles, 35, finished second in the league in rebounds, steals, and blocks per game, becoming the only player in league history to finish among the top two in all three categories in a single season. She wrapped up her 14th WNBA season by starting in all 31 of her games played and led the league with a .640 field goal percentage.
Of 61 votes, Fowles received 29 from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. L.A. guard Brittney Sykes (six votes) finished second.
The rest of the rankings included Connecticut forward Jonquel Jones and Phoenix forward Brianna Turner, each receiving four votes. Phoenix center Brittney Griner also got two votes, while Connecticut guards Briann January and Jasmine Thomas each got one vote.
Fowles remains the only recipient to receive the award in Lynx history — which she has done twice for Minnesota — and becomes the first player in league history to win the award in their 14th season.
Make that 4️⃣ WNBA Defensive Player of the Year awards for Sylvia Fowles 🏆@WNBA | @SylviaFowles pic.twitter.com/3LeERsZ3Mi— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 26, 2021
Make that 4️⃣ WNBA Defensive Player of the Year awards for Sylvia Fowles 🏆@WNBA | @SylviaFowles pic.twitter.com/3LeERsZ3Mi