Ayrton Oneill
In January 2023, Maya Moore, a former professional basketball player and social justice advocate, announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 33. Moore, a four-time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx, cited her desire to focus on social justice issues and spend time with her family as reasons for her decision. Moore's retirement came after a successful basketball career, including two national titles at the University of Connecticut, two Olympic gold medals, and numerous awards and accolades. She was also known for her role in seeking justice for her husband, Jonathan Irons, who was wrongfully convicted and served time in prison. While Moore has expressed contentment in her retirement, there is speculation among fans about the possibility of a comeback, given her relatively young age.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retirement announcement | 16 January 2023 |
| Age at retirement | 33 |
| Reason for retirement | To focus on social justice issues and help overturn the wrongful conviction of her future husband, Jonathan Irons |
| Final game | Loss to the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2018 WNBA playoffs |
| WNBA career duration | 8 years |
| Number of regular-season games | 271 |
| Average points per game | 18.4 |
| Average rebounds per game | 5.9 |
| Average assists per game | 3.3 |
| Average points per game in playoff games | 19.2 |
| Average rebounds per game in playoff games | 6.0 |
| Average assists per game in playoff games | 3.2 |
| Number of WNBA finals appearances | 6 |
| Number of WNBA titles | 4 |
| Other notable achievements | Two national titles at the University of Connecticut, two Olympic gold medals, Arthur Ashe Courage Award |
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What You'll Learn
Maya Moore's retirement announcement
Maya Moore, one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time, announced her retirement from basketball in January 2023. This came after a four-year hiatus from the sport, during which she focused on overturning her now-husband Jonathan Irons' wrongful conviction.
Moore's retirement from the sport was not entirely unexpected. In 2019, at the height of her career, she announced that she would be skipping the 2019 season. She cited burnout as one of the reasons for her break from basketball but also expressed a desire to focus on the case of Jonathan Irons, who was serving a 50-year sentence for a crime he did not commit. Moore's efforts to free Irons were successful, and the two married shortly after his release in July 2020.
In an interview with NPR following her retirement announcement, Moore reflected on her basketball career, expressing gratitude for the opportunities the sport had given her and the support she received throughout her time as a professional athlete. She also mentioned her excitement for the next chapter of her life, which would involve continuing to fight for justice alongside Irons. Moore's retirement at the age of 33 was described by some as a mid-career age for players of her calibre, and it was noted that she still had a lot to offer the sport.
Moore's impact on the game was significant. She was a four-time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx, a two-time NCAA champion with the University of Connecticut, and a two-time Olympic gold medallist. She was also the first female basketball player signed to the Jordan Brand and was named the WNBA MVP in 2014. In addition to her athletic achievements, Moore was also recognised for her social justice advocacy, receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for her work in this area.
Moore's retirement announcement brought on reflections on her playing style, with commentators noting her ability to score, rebound, pass, play defence, and lead her team. Her unique mix of communal leadership and individual talent was hallmarked of her career. Moore's former coach, Geno Auriemma, summed up her playing style as follows: "The love that Maya had for the game, the way she played the game, the passion that she played the game with -- you don't walk away from that nonchalantly."
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Moore's WNBA career
Maya Moore, born on June 11, 1989, is a former American professional basketball player. She played forward for the UConn women's basketball team and won back-to-back national championships in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, she was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx, becoming the first female basketball player signed to the Jordan Brand.
Moore's professional career was filled with championships and accolades. In her first three years, she made three WNBA finals, one Eurobasket final, and two WCBA finals, winning five of the six possible championships. She was named the WNBA Rookie of the Month for July and August 2011 and played in the WNBA All-Star Game. In October 2011, she became the second player in league history to win Rookie of the Year honors and a WNBA championship in the same year.
Moore continued her dominant performance in the following years, helping the Lynx achieve the best start in WNBA history with a 10-0 run in the 2012 season. In 2014, she set multiple WNBA records, including scoring 30 or more points in twelve games in a single season and averaging a career-high 23.9 points per game. She won the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award that year and led the Lynx to the Western Conference Semifinals.
In 2015, Moore re-signed with the Lynx to a multi-year deal. She was named to the WNBA All-Star Game and awarded MVP after scoring 30 points, breaking the WNBA All-Star Game record. The Lynx won its third WNBA championship in five years that season, beating the Indiana Fever. Moore's impressive skills on the court included scoring, rebounding, passing, playing defence, and leading her team as a coach on the floor.
In 2018, Moore took a hiatus from her WNBA career to focus on social justice issues and fight for reform in the American justice system. During this time, she successfully worked to overturn her husband Jonathan Irons' wrongful conviction. Moore officially announced her retirement from basketball in 2023, bringing an end to her illustrious WNBA career.
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Moore's fight for justice
Maya Moore, one of the WNBA's biggest stars and a former professional basketball player, has been an outspoken advocate for justice and social change. In 2019, at the height of her career, she took a hiatus from basketball to fight for the release of Jonathan Irons, a man serving a 50-year sentence for burglary and assault with a deadly weapon, a crime he did not commit. Moore used her platform and star power to successfully gain his release in 2020, and the two later married and had a son together.
Moore's great-uncle and godparents were deeply involved in prison ministry and took Irons under their wing during his early years of imprisonment. Moore first met Irons in the summer after her high school graduation, and their relationship developed from something sibling-like to something more profound. She kept the relationship quiet, worried that the attention would distract from the quest for his freedom.
In addition to her advocacy work, Moore co-wrote a book with Irons, titled "Love and Justice: A Story of Triumph on Two Different Courts," which was published in 2021. The book details their story of fighting for justice and their journey together. Moore has also taught workshops focused on teamwork, leadership, and social justice, further extending her impact beyond the basketball court.
In January 2023, Moore officially announced her retirement from basketball, bringing to a close a remarkable career that included numerous championships and accolades. While she may no longer be playing the sport, her legacy as a trailblazer for justice and social change will undoubtedly endure.
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Moore's marriage to Jonathan Irons
In 2020, WNBA superstar Maya Moore married Jonathan Irons, a man she helped free from prison. Irons had been serving a 50-year sentence for burglary and assault with a deadly weapon, a crime he was wrongfully convicted of. Moore used her star power to gain his freedom, and the two fell in love during this process. Moore first learned about Irons' case when she was 18, through her family members who were involved in prison ministries. She reached out to Irons, and the two became friends, with their relationship evolving over the next decade.
Moore's activism in the case began later in their friendship. In 2019, she announced that she would skip the WNBA season to focus on ministry and criminal justice reform, stunning the basketball world. At the time, she faced backlash for her decision, but she was undeterred, finding her voice and a sense of purpose in her advocacy work. Moore and Irons' relationship grew stronger during this period, and they fell in love. Irons even credited Moore and her family for their support during his incarceration.
Moore and Irons' marriage is founded on their shared faith and commitment to seeking justice. In an interview, Moore reflected on how her relationship with Irons and their shared faith journey has taught her to approach life with an open mind and a willingness to embrace the unknown. They have also co-written a book, "Love and Justice: A Story of Triumph on Two Different Courts," where they share their journey and call for collective action to address injustices in the criminal justice system.
Moore's decision to retire from basketball was influenced by her desire to focus on her marriage, healing, and family. In an interview, she mentioned the layers of transition she has gone through, from being a basketball player to taking on new roles as a friend, wife, and parent. At 33, Moore chose to prioritize her personal life and continue her advocacy work alongside Irons, rather than return to high-level basketball.
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Moore's legacy in basketball
Maya Moore's legacy in basketball is an impressive one. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest winners in the history of women's basketball, with a long list of accolades and achievements to her name.
Moore's career began at the University of Connecticut, where she played college basketball. She became the second player to win the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award following both her junior and senior prep seasons. During her time at UConn, she won back-to-back national championships in 2009 and 2010, leading Connecticut to an undefeated national championship in 2009. She was also the first freshman in Big East Basketball history to be named Big East Player of the Year in 2008.
After graduating, Moore was selected as the first overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx, becoming the first female basketball player signed to the Jordan Brand. Her professional career was filled with championships and awards. She won four WNBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, two EuroLeague championships, and was named an All-Star six times and league MVP once. In 2015, she won the WNBA All-Star MVP award, joining an elite group of only three players to have won the MVP award for the WNBA regular season, finals, and All-Star game.
Moore also played internationally, joining the Shanxi Flame in China and leading them to their first-ever WCBA championship title. She then signed with the Russian basketball club UMMC Ekaterinburg for the 2017/2018 EuroLeague season, helping them win the EuroLeague Championship.
Beyond her on-court achievements, Moore is also known for her humility, friendly interactions with fans, and her social justice advocacy. She took a break from basketball in 2019 to focus on her family and ministry work, and to seek justice for her now-husband, Jonathan Irons, who was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. Moore successfully helped overturn his conviction, showcasing her impact beyond the basketball court.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Moore has officially retired from basketball.
Moore retired to focus on social justice issues, particularly on overturning her now-husband Jonathan Irons' wrongful conviction.
Moore was a highly decorated basketball player. She was a four-time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx, a two-time NCAA champion with the University of Connecticut, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. She also won the WNBA MVP award and was named Rookie of the Year in 2011.
Moore has continued her work in social justice reform, co-founding the non-profit Win With Justice with her husband. She has also co-authored a book, 'Love and Justice: A Story of Triumph on Two Different Courts', and had a child with Irons in 2022.
