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The WNBA’s 2026 season gets underway in May next year, and the biggest storyline is the addition of two new franchises — the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo — making them the 14th and 15th teams in the league.
Given how well the Golden State Valkyries performed in their inaugural season, setting the standard for expansion franchises by becoming the first such team to make the playoffs and winning 23 games, the Fire and Tempo have a lot to live up to. They’ll need talent, grit, and a great coaching staff. Thankfully, the Fire just added a Hall of Famer as an assistant coach.
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ESPN reports that Sylvia Fowles, the former league MVP and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, will be joining the Portland Fire coaching staff as an assistant to head coach Alex Sarama for 2026.
Fowles is well-respected in WNBA circles having won two league championships. She’ll bring her myriad of skills and basketball expertise to the table as the Fire look to shock the world.
Team Wilson center Sylvia Fowles is defended by Team Stewart forward Breanna Stewart during the 2022 WNBA All Star Game at Wintrust Arena.
Why did Fowles join the Fire?
Per reports, Fowles had numerous coaching opportunities ahead of the upcoming season, but ultimately decided on Portland, assuming it was the best fit for her. She also was in favor of the idea of joining an expansion franchise in its first year, hoping to build a culture with players she currently does not have ties to.
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Sylvia Fowles basketball career
Fowles played 15 seasons in the WNBA — seven with the Chicago Sky and eight with the Minnesota Lynx. Fowles is an eight-time WNBA All-Star and was named Defensive Player of the Year four times, the second-most in NBA history (Tamika Catchings, five).
Fowles was obviously a monster defensively, and is currently fourth all-time in blocks. She also retired as the WNBA’s all-time leader in rebounds, but was passed by Tina Charles last season.
Fowles is a two-time WNBA champion (2015, 2017) with the Minnesota Lynx, winning Finals MVP in both victories. She also won league MVP in 2017, finishing top-ten in MVP voting on seven different occasions.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hall of Famer Sylvia Fowles joins Portland Fire as assistant coach
