She wore number 23, like Michael Jordan, and since that night, her jersey has been on the ceiling of the Target Center, the Minneapolis arena. In tears, Maya Moore was joined by her former teammates Rebekkah Brunson, Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles and Seimone Augustus for this emotional ceremony, a few minutes after the Lynx's victory over Caitlin Clark's Fever. A success synonymous with playoffs in front of more than 19,000 spectators!
“I don’t want this night to end… My life is an example of what a little girl’s love looks like.”she confided into the microphone. “It’s impossible to watch this ceremony without love. So many people have played a role in my life to show me what life is. That’s what I’ve tried to bring every day: life and joy. Because I’ve been given life and joy.”
A four-time WNBA champion, as well as a two-time NCAA champion and Olympic champion, Moore received a personalized box from Jordan Brand, including a beautiful jacket and several pairs of gold shoesThe former Lynx star was the first player to sign with Michael Jordan's brand. A video clip was also shown during the ceremony to illustrate the eight seasons she spent in Minneapolis.
A unique destiny
Retired since last year, even though she hasn't played in the WNBA since 2018, Moore had made an impression by using her fame for a fight that is close to her heart: to free Jonathan Irons, wrongly accused and convicted of robbery and assault with at least 42 years to serve in prison. After months and months of work and investment, the latter was finally released on July 1, 2020, after 22 years behind bars, and the beautiful story ended with their marriage!
“The path I took wasn’t planned, but it was exactly the path I was supposed to take,” she said. “With the way my life had turned out and the amount of effort and presence it required, as the years went by, it didn’t seem like I could go back. But I wanted to stay in the moment and keep a door open until I was really sure I was going to retire.”
