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NCAA Roundup: LSU retires Fowles’ jersey, Phillips transfers to Charlotte

By Mike Peden

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles (34) celebrates her basket in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks in game one of the WNBA Finals. at Target Center. The Los Angeles Sparks beat the Minnesota Lynx 78-76. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles (34) celebrates her basket in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks in game one of the WNBA Finals. at Target Center. The Los Angeles Sparks beat the Minnesota Lynx 78-76. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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One location will no longer offer No. 34 to its residents: Louisiana State.

That number was worn by Sylvia Fowles, who played at LSU from 2004-2008. On Monday, the school’s Hall of Fame Committee unanimously approved the retirement of her jersey number. The official ceremony will take place at some point in the 2017-18 season.

In a statement published by LSU, Joe Alleva, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics, highlighted the influence Fowles has instilled throughout her athletic career.

“Sylvia Fowles is a woman of great influence and compassion who has brought worldwide recognition to our university and to our state. Her impact has been felt not only through her achievements as a basketball player, but also in her philanthropic work for young people,” he said.

At LSU, Fowles reached the Final Four every year of her college career. She also earned SEC Player of the Year honors in 2008. Graduating with her degree in 2009, Fowles still holds school records for most career rebounds and blocks. Her jersey number is the second to be retired by the LSU women’s basketball program. The first? Seimone Augustus, whose No. 33 was retired in 2010.

PALM HARBOR, FL – APRIL 09: Number 2 over all pick by the Chicago Sky Sylvia Fowles from LSU greets members of the Jr. WNBA after she was drafted during the 2008 WNBA Draft on April 9, 2008 at the Innisbrook Resort
PALM HARBOR, FL – APRIL 09: Number 2 over all pick by the Chicago Sky Sylvia Fowles from LSU greets members of the Jr. WNBA after she was drafted during the 2008 WNBA Draft on April 9, 2008 at the Innisbrook Resort /

After her stellar college career, Fowles was selected second overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2008 WNBA Draft. She played at Chicago for seven seasons, earning three All-Star selections and a trip to the WNBA Finals in 2014. In 2015, Fowles was traded to Minnesota, and her dominance in the paint didn’t miss a step. Her pivotal performance in Game 5 of that year’s Finals helped the Lynx cruise to a championship that year, and she also picked up Finals MVP honors.

In transfer news, Charlotte announced that Jade Phillips is joining the program after two years at Syracuse. Due to transfer rules, Phillips won’t be available to play for the 2017-18 season, but she has two years of eligibility remaining.

The move is a homecoming of sorts for the 5’11” guard, who grew up in Raleigh. Although Phillips reached the NCAA tournament twice with Syracuse, including a second place finish in 2016, her playing time has been scarce. Last season, she appeared in 20 games, averaging just 5.4 minutes per contest. Her career highlight thus far was a 10-point effort against Siena last November.

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