Women’s basketball: Sylvia Fowles, United States

Sylvia Fowles never imagined as she practiced silky post moves on Liberty City’s asphalt courts that she’d one day find herself halfway around the world at the Olympics, making headlines for the U.S. women’s basketball team.

The rookie 6-foot-6 center had another breakout performance in a 108-63 rout of China Monday night, coming off the bench to score 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

She also had a 16-point, 14-rebound night in the U.S. opener against Czech Republic.

The U.S. took an early 33-11 lead against China and never looked back. Tina Thompson led all scorers with 27 points, and was one of four players in double figures. Fowles, a 22-year-old WNBA rookie with the Chicago Sky, grabbed eight rebounds to go with her 18 points.

”Sylvia is incredible,” said teammate Diana Taurasi. “You can talk about her physical attributes, her amazing footwork, but the thing that really makes her special is she is such a great person … I believe she’ll be one of the best centers to ever play for the United States.”

Miami Herald