The ceremony took place following the Lynx’s game against the Indiana Fever, marking another milestone in Moore’s storied career.
A Legacy of Excellence and Leadership
Moore, whose number 23 now joins the jerseys of fellow Lynx icons Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles, Rebekkah Brunson, and Seimone Augustus, played a central role in building the Lynx dynasty that captured four WNBA championships during the 2010s.
In front of a record crowd of 19,023 fans, Moore was honored not only with the jersey retirement but also with gold sneakers and a custom letterman jacket from Jordan Brand, which made her its first femaleathlete in 2011.
“Mylifeis an example of what itlookslike when welovea littlegirlwell,”Moore said during her speech. “There is no way we’re watching that [ceremony] without love. So manypeoplehad a hand inmy lifeto show me what life is about. That’s what I tried to bring every day: life andjoy.”
Stepping Away for a Greater Purpose
Moore’s career took an unexpected turn when she stepped away from basketball in 2019 to focus on the wrongful convictioncase of her now-husband, Jonathan Irons.
After helping secure his release in 2020, Moore shifted her focus to building a family, a decision that ultimately led to her retirement.
Despite leaving the game at the height of her career, Moore’s influence remains strong both in and out of the sports world.
“She was the person for me,”Clark told CNN.“Those are the type of people you want your youngdaughterto idolize.”
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, who followed in Moore’s footsteps by attending UConn and playing in Minnesota, has also been deeply inspired by Moore’s legacy. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve highlighted this connection, stating, “The impact of Maya Moore is that Napheesa Collier got to dream of one day being like Maya Moore.”
Closing a Chapter, Cementing a Legacy
Moore officially retired from basketball nearly a year ago, and her jersey retirement solidifies her place as one of the greatest players in WNBA history.
While Moore may no longer be on the court, her legacy as a basketball icon and a trailblazer in social justice advocacy continues to shine brightly.
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