Everything you need to know about Sylvia Fowles, the WNBA’s dominant MVP

The 2017 WNBA Finals are set to tip off on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET, and fans are getting the rematch they wanted between the reigning champion Los Angeles Sparks and runner-up Minnesota Lynx. Last season’s series was forced to a decisive Game 5 and won at the buzzer by then-MVP Nneka Ogwumike.

In 2017, the games should be just as close. With four MVPs (including Candace Parker and Maya Moore) and five Olympic gold medalists, there’s a TON of talent to marvel at.

But newly named MVP Sylvia Fowles stands out among the elite crowd. She’s the X-Factor of this year’s matchup.

A 6’6 center, Fowles has size that’s tough to match and athleticism unique to the few players who resemble her stature. Think of a more nimble Brittney Griner, with a higher vertical.

Her quickness and touch around the rim enabled her to score nearly 19 points per game and grab 3.6 of her 10 rebounds on the offensive end throughout the duration of the regular season (remember the WNBA plays 40-minute games).

Absolutely not. Fowles has been a star for the last decade since she was selected No. 2 overall in the 2008 WNBA draft (behind Candace Parker). She was Finals MVP two seasons ago, is a four-time All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time blocks leader and three-time Olympic gold medalist. After winning MVP, she’s pretty much done it all.

But this is definitely her best season.

Fowles is the perfect rim runner who’s as close to automatic as it gets down low. She buries anyone who tries to keep her out of the paint and ruined any Mystic in her path during the semifinals. She can get to WHEREVER she wants on the floor and root out her opposition.

That’s how she averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds on 65.9 percent shooting to sweep Washington.

Teams can’t leave her alone anywhere inside the three-point line either. Off pick-and-rolls Fowles is money from the foul line-extended.

Because she’s surrounded by at least three other Hall of Famers! The Lynx are stacked and have been in six of the last seven Finals (and win three times).

Lindsay Whalen, who’s No. 3 in assists in WNBA history, runs the point. Seven-time All-Star Seimone Augustus is a guard-forward who can score from anywhere. Former MVP Maya Moore can launch from anywhere on the court and take any great defender to the hole off the drive. Forward Rebekkah Brunson used to be the offensive “weak spot” so to speak, but even she’s now knocking down threes at a solid 34 percent rate.

Teams can’t lay off a single Minnesota player on defense. Surrounded by four capable shooters, Fowles is able to see over everyone and kick to the open player in the most potent offense in the league.

Fowles works hard on and off the court. She’s pursuing a career as an embalmer, taking online classes throughout the year despite playing year-round basketball in China and America.

She also had an incredibly emotional speech after winning her first MVP award.

The Finals are set to start on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC and will continue Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.