Overview
- Portland officially announced Fowles to its inaugural staff on Monday, joining head coach Alex Sarama and assistant coach/assistant GM Brittni Donaldson.
- Fowles said her responsibilities will span player development, scouting and film work rather than focusing solely on post play.
- The move brings extensive WNBA experience to a new staff, addressing Sarama’s lack of prior coaching in the women’s game as he implements a player-development framework.
- Fowles retired in 2022 as the league’s all-time rebounds leader and is a two-time Finals MVP, the 2017 league MVP, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and a 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee.
- Portland and fellow expansion team Toronto are planning for an expansion draft and 2026 debuts, though timing could shift as the WNBA and players’ union negotiate a new CBA with a Jan. 9 deadline and strike authority in place.