Big Syl goes "Beast Mode" to capture All-Star Game's MVP Award

The 2008 Olympics in Beijing was the last time the US National Team took the court in a major international competition. A quick look at that team’s roster shows the following post players: Sylvia Fowles,  Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson, and Candace Parker. 

When the US National Team begins the 2010 World Championships in September, the only player from that group that will wear the red, white and blue is Fowles. Both Leslie and Thompson have ended their USA Basketball careers and Parker is out after suffering a dislocated shoulder last month.

But considering the performance that Fowles put on during Saturday’s WNBA vs. USA Basketball game at Mohegan Sun, it appears the USA is going to be just fine in the post.

Fowles was named the Most Valuable Player of the game after scoring a game-high 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds in a performance more dominant than those numbers suggest. When the National Team pulled away from the WNBA Stars in the third quarter, Fowles was at her best, hitting layups and grabbing rebounds at will.

“That’s Sylvia. That’s what we need from Sylvia,” said USA teammate Diana Taurasi. “That’s a responsibility she has to put on herself and we’re going to need games like that throughout our quest to bring back a World Championship.”

As important as Fowles’ performance was to the National Team on Saturday, Taurasi believes it is just as beneficial for Fowles herself.

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Posted by Bob Starkey