Sylvia Fowles

She dunks. That’s right: She.

And that’s just one reason Sylvia Fowles is poised to take her place in LSU basketball history with such names as Bob Pettit, Shaquille O’Neal and Seimone Augustus.

The 6-foot-6-inch senior All-American center would likely be a great player if she were much shorter because she’s that athletic. But she happens to be among the tallest in the women’s college game today. Earlier this season, Michigan State came to Baton Rouge with a 6-foot-9-inch freshman. Fowles ate her up, scoring 21 points in the first half.

“No one in the country can guard Sylvia one on one,” Arkansas Coach Susie Gardner says.

All-American LSU basketball player and future WNBA star

Hometown: Miami

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“The best inside player in the country,” Kentucky Coach Mickey DeMoss says.

Her own coach says she’s too nice.

“She’s too sweet of a person,” Van Chancellor claims of his prodigy who last season averaged 16.9 points, 12.7 rebounds and blocked 78 shots in 38 games.

So he implored her to dunk a ball in a real game, hoping that would make the one they call “Big Syl” more aggressive. It finally happened Nov. 21 against Louisiana-Lafayette. Fowles stole the ball and saw nothing but empty court ahead.

Flush!

Just five other women had ever accomplished the feat in college.

Her game seems to have no weaknesses now that she’s incorporated a face-up, mid-range jumper to her repertoire.

Now she’s hoping to lead the Lady Tigers to their fifth consecutive Final Four. None of the other five dunkers can make that boast. With a WNBA career and Olympic and international opportunities looming, Fowles may outshine them all.

“She is the future of our post players. When I think of the professional and international game, she’s the No. 1 pick.” —Tara VanDerveer, Stanford head coach who coached the U.S. women to the 1996 Olympic gold medal