Sylvia Fowles is returning to Minnesota, with the veteran center announcing via social media on Wednesday that she intends to re-sign with the Lynx with the caption “HOME.”

Elsewhere on the graphic image are the words “I’m back.”

An unrestricted free agent, Fowles’ status in the league had been uncertain. On Tuesday, the StarTribune reported that she would be returning for her 15th season.

In 2021, the two-time WNBA champion had one of her best seasons, averaging 18 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 31 games. As a result, she was named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time in her career. Originally drafted by the Chicago Sky, Fowles has spent seven years of her 14 year career in Minnesota.

Teams cannot officially announce signings until Feb. 1.

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.

The Minnesota Lynx secured a first-round bye in the WNBA playoffs, downing last-placed Indiana Fever 92-73 Friday night.

Sylvia Fowles led the team in points with 21, shooting 88.9 percent from the field. The star center also added ten rebounds to the Aces’ tally for her 13th double-double of the season.

Napheesa Collier put on a dominant performance for the Lynx as well, notching 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

The Lynx’s win sets up a battle with the Seattle Storm for the third playoff seed. Minnesota will clinch the third seed with a win in their last regular-season game against the Washington Mystics. A loss on Sunday would slide the team into fourth.

Next up: The Lynx face-off against the Mystics on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN3.

Sylvia Fowles is used to flying under the radar.

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Lynx center became just the fourth player in WNBA history to record at least 25 points and 20 rebounds in a game. Her 29-point, 20-rebound, four-steal and three-assist effort in Minnesota’s win over the Seattle Storm also was the first 20-20-3-3 game in league history. Fowles is now 12th on the all-time WNBA scoring list, tied with two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker.

And yet, in most conversations this year about who will win league MVP, Fowles hasn’t been front and center. When asked about the lack of recognition after the game Tuesday, she said she’s used to it.

“”It used to [bother me], when I was younger,” Fowles told reporters. “At this rate, it don’t. I don’t get the recognition I’m supposed to, but it doesn’t stop me from doing the things I do.

“I’m at a place where I’m content with who I am and what I do.”

Lynx coach/GM Cheryl Reeve echoed the sentiment that Fowles remains under-appreciated.

“The league has grossly undeserved Sylvia’s career,” Reeve said. “I’m sure ESPN wanted to love up on all the stars the Storm has … you guys are watching greatness. One of the best players ever, certainly at the center spot. There is nobody close in terms of what she does for her team.”

In the first half alone Tuesday, Fowles recorded 19 points and 13 rebounds, the seventh single-half double-double of her career. The only player with more double-doubles in a half in WNBA history is Tina Charles.

Fowles also owns the WNBA record for overall double-doubles, having surpassed Lisa Leslie and Charles back in 2019.

The seven-time All-Star is not only producing offensively this season, she’s also holding it down on the other end. Fowles is currently ranked third in blocks per game (1.8), second in steals (1.9), third in rebounds (10.0) and second in overall defensive rating and defensive win shares.

Fowles is averaging a double-double of 16.6 points and 10 rebounds per game through 24 games, putting her in good company across the league. The only other players averaging double-doubles are Breanna Stewart (20.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG) and Jonquel Jones (19.9 PPG, 11.1 RPG), who were the top MVP vote-getters in our WNBA midseason poll. Fowles is also ranked first in field goal percentage, shooting an astounding 62.5 percent from the floor per game.

The two-time WNBA champion and Finals MVP asserts her dominance every time she steps on the court, belying her age. Fowles is already a candidate for the Basketball Hall of Fame whenever she decides to retire, but first, she at least deserves to be in the conversation for 2021 WNBA MVP.

Sylvia Fowles made more history Tuesday night.

The Minnesota Lynx center was on a tear against the Seattle Storm, becoming the fourth player in WNBA history to record at least 25 points and 20 rebounds in a game and the first to add at least three blocks and three steals to that stat line. Fowles finished with 29 points, 20 rebounds, four steals and three blocks in the Lynx’s 76-70 win over Seattle.

Fowles’ first-half double-double (19 points, 13 rebounds) is the seventh of her career, the second most in WNBA history behind Tina Charles.

Lynx forward Napheesa Collier contributed 18 points and five rebounds in the win.

Breanna Stewart kept the storm on Minnesota’s heels with 18 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. Stewart and Fowles became the first opposing players to each record at least 15 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in a regular-season game.

The Lynx (15-9) moved one step closer to a playoff spot, while the Storm (18-8) clinched theirs despite the loss.

Minnesota has a six-day break before hosting the New York Liberty next Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. Seattle takes on the Sky on Friday at 10 p.m. ET.

In her 14th season in the WNBA, Sylvia Fowles continues to shatter records and shows no signs of slowing down.

Fowles put up an astonishing 30 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, four steals and four blocks in Minnesota’s 90-89 victory over Las Vegas on Friday. With her monster night, Fowles became the first player in the league to record at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, four steals and four blocks in a single game.

After the game, Fowles attributed her dominant performance to “me just proving to myself that I can actually get it done multiple games.”

Friday night marked the veteran center’s second consecutive game with over 25 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lynx, winners of three of their last four, moved to .500 with the win and sixth in the league standings.

Sylvia Fowles is at the top of her game.

Now in her 14th season in the league, the Minnesota center is still putting up consistent numbers on both sides of the ball.

Fowles came up big for the Lynx on Wednesday night, recording a staggering 26 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks. The last WNBA player to have such a game was Britney Griner in 2018, when she put up 33 points, 18 rebounds and seven blocks.

Fowles’s massive night helped Minnesota defeat the Dream 87-85.

Fowles has had four 20-point games this season and has posted four double-doubles, averaging nearly 30 minutes on the floor per game. The former MVP has also been shooting an impressive 64 percent from the field and collecting 9.6 rebounds per game.

At 35 years old, Fowles is having one of her best starts to date, putting up numbers that resemble those from her 2017 MVP season. With the Olympics around the corner, Fowles could have a banner year as she represents the U.S. in Tokyo and pushes the Lynx up the league standings at home.

According to Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve, Fowles is already the best center in the history of the league.