Chicago Sky Re-Signs Center Sylvia Fowles on Draft Day

The Chicago Sky acquired Shey Peddy and Sydney Carter in the 2012 WNBA Draft on Monday. Both Peddy are Carter are known for their defensive prowess on the court. Peddy was named the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year and Carter was selected for the Big 12's All-Defensive squad for the second straight season.

But that was just the icing on the proverbial cake for the Sky. Chicago's real coup came earlier in the day, when they re-signed the best defensive player in the league, center Sylvia Fowles, to a multi-year deal.

She put up stunning numbers last year (20.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg) on her way to becoming the second player in league history to average 20 points and 10 rebounds in a season. Fowles also led the league in blocked shots (2.0 bpg) and field goal percentage (59.1%) in 2011.

Fowles' presence has been formidable since she joined the league in 2008, and not just due to her 6-6 frame. Last season wasn't the first with gaudy stats for Big Syl. She is now the Sky's all-time leader in scoring average (15.9), rebounds (1,000), blocks (227), and field goal percentage (57.9%). Fowles is already the proud owner of an Olympic gold medal (2008) and will go for another this summer in London.

Not that the signing wasn't expected, but it was certainly due for the Sky and Fowles as the 2012 season edges even closer.