Maya Moore
Maya Moore (born June 11, 1989) is an American former professional basketball player and criminal justice reform advocate. Drafted first overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2011 WNBA Draft, she led the team to four championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017, while earning the league's Most Valuable Player award in 2014, Finals MVP in 2013, and Rookie of the Year honors in her debut season.[1] At the University of Connecticut, Moore contributed to two NCAA Division I titles in 2009 and 2010, amassing a 150-4 record and becoming the program's all-time leading scorer.[2] Representing the United States internationally, she secured gold medals at the Olympic Games in London 2012 and Rio 2016.[3] In February 2019, Moore announced an indefinite hiatus from basketball to prioritize family, personal aspirations, and advocacy efforts, particularly supporting the case of Jonathan Irons, convicted at age 16 of burglary and assault in 1998 and sentenced to 50 years.[4] A Missouri judge vacated Irons' conviction in March 2020 amid revelations of witness coercion and evidentiary issues, leading to his release from prison in July after prosecutors declined to retry the case; Moore married him in September.[5] She formally retired from the WNBA on January 16, 2023, following her induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[4]
Early Life and Education
Family Background and Upbringing
Maya Moore was born on June 11, 1989, in Jefferson City, Missouri, to Kathryn Moore and Michael Dabney.[6][7] Kathryn Moore, an African-American single mother who had played volleyball at Occidental College, raised Maya in a close-knit household emphasizing discipline and hard work, with the two sharing a bond described by Kathryn as that of best friends.[8][9] Michael Dabney, also African-American and a former star basketball player at Rutgers University in the 1970s, maintained a less public relationship with Maya.[10][7] She grew up with two younger sisters, Ashley and Olivia Dabney.[7] During her first 11 years in Jefferson City, Moore lived in a single-parent home supported by extended family and a tight community network, which provided stability and encouragement amid limited resources.[11] Her mother introduced her to basketball at age three by installing a hoop in their home, fostering an early passion for the sport that began with informal play.[12] The family relied on this communal backing, as Kathryn balanced parenting with instilling values of resilience and self-reliance.[13] In 2000, at age 11, Moore and her mother relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, for one year before settling in the Atlanta, Georgia, area in 2001 to pursue better educational and athletic opportunities.[14][15] This move marked a shift to greater independence for the pair, with Kathryn continuing to serve as Maya's primary supporter, coach, and confidante, later even relocating to Connecticut during her college years at the University of Connecticut.[8][16] The upbringing, rooted in maternal guidance and familial perseverance, shaped Moore's development both personally and athletically.[11]High School Basketball at Collins Hill
Maya Moore attended Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, where she played basketball from 2005 to 2009 as a four-year starter and small forward.[17][18] During her tenure, the Eagles compiled a 125–3 record, reflecting her pivotal role in the team's dominance.[19][17] Moore led Collins Hill to three Georgia Class 5A state championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007, along with one runner-up finish, and the team was recognized as the 2007 national champions by USA Today.[20][21] She earned three Georgia Class 5A Player of the Year awards (2005, 2006, 2007) and two Naismith Prep Player of the Year honors (2006, 2007).[21][19] As a four-time All-American, Moore set school career records with 2,664 points, 1,297 rebounds, 415 assists, and 508 steals.[19][22]AAU Experience with Georgia Metros
Maya Moore participated in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball with the Georgia Metros, a Nike-sponsored travel team, during her high school years.[21] She contributed to the team's success in national tournaments, helping secure four championships overall.[21][23] In the 2006 AAU National Championship game, Moore recorded 19 points and 9 rebounds, marking the conclusion of her AAU tenure and the Metros' fourth title during her involvement.[24] Her performance underscored her versatility as a scorer and rebounder in competitive youth circuits, where the Georgia Metros maintained a strong record under coach Charles Huddleston.[25] These achievements highlighted Moore's early dominance in elite AAU play, complementing her high school accomplishments at Collins Hill.[17]College Career at University of Connecticut
Maya Moore enrolled at the University of Connecticut in 2007 and played for the UConn Huskies women's basketball team from 2007 to 2011, contributing to a program record of 150 wins and 4 losses during her tenure.[17] The team advanced to four consecutive Final Four appearances in the NCAA tournament.[17] As a freshman in the 2007-08 season, Moore averaged 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game over 38 games, earning Big East Conference Player of the Year honors as the first freshman to achieve this distinction.[26] In her sophomore year (2008-09), she improved to 19.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game across 39 games, helping UConn secure the 2009 NCAA national championship and receiving Associated Press Player of the Year, Naismith Trophy, and Wade Trophy awards.[26][17] During the 2009-10 junior season, Moore averaged 18.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 39 games en route to an undefeated 39-0 record and the second consecutive NCAA title.[26][27]| Season | Games | Points/Game | Rebounds/Game | Assists/Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 38 | 17.8 | 7.6 | 3.1 |
| 2008-09 | 39 | 19.3 | 8.9 | 3.3 |
| 2009-10 | 39 | 18.9 | 8.3 | 3.8 |
| 2010-11 | 38 | 22.8 | 8.2 | 4.0 |
Professional Basketball Career
WNBA Tenure with Minnesota Lynx
Maya Moore was selected as the first overall pick by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2011 WNBA Draft.[28] In her rookie season, she averaged 13.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game over 34 games, leading all rookies in scoring and three-point field goals made (58).[29] Moore was named the 2011 WNBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the third Lynx player to earn the award.[29] Moore contributed to the Lynx's first championship in 2011, defeating the Atlanta Dream 3–0 in the Finals; she recorded 15 points and seven rebounds in the decisive Game 3.[30] The Lynx returned to the Finals in 2012 but lost to the Indiana Fever. In 2013, Moore averaged 18.6 points per game during the regular season and earned Finals MVP honors after leading Minnesota to a 3–0 sweep over Atlanta, posting 20 points and six rebounds per game in the series.[31] She repeated as a key contributor in the Lynx's 2015 title win over the Fever (3–2 series) and 2017 victory against the Los Angeles Sparks (3–2 series), securing four championships total during her tenure.[1] Individually, Moore was named the 2014 WNBA Most Valuable Player, leading the league in scoring with 23.9 points per game that season.[28] She earned All-WNBA First Team selections in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, and was a six-time All-Star with three All-Star Game MVP awards.[1] Over eight seasons with the Lynx from 2011 to 2018, Moore appeared in 271 regular-season games, averaging 18.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game; she holds franchise records for career points per game, three-pointers made (530), and steals (449).[32] In the playoffs, she maintained strong production, helping the Lynx reach the Finals six times in her first seven seasons.[21]
International Competitions in Europe and China
 for the 2012–13 season. She led the team to its inaugural WCBA championship, highlighted by a 53-point performance in Game 1 of the finals against Bayi. Averaging 45 points per game during the regular season, Moore's scoring prowess propelled Shanxi to victory.[33][34][35] Moore returned to Shanxi for subsequent seasons, achieving a three-peat of WCBA titles from 2013 to 2015. In the 2014–15 finals, her team defeated Beijing to claim the third consecutive crown, underscoring her dominance in the league. Although she played for Shanxi again in 2015–16, the team fell short of a fourth straight title.[33][36] In 2017, Moore joined UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, bolstering the club's EuroLeague campaign. She played a pivotal role in the 2018 EuroLeague Final Four, recording 17 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and four steals in the final against Sopron, securing a 72–53 victory and her second EuroLeague championship. This triumph marked UMMC's advancement through the playoffs, including a semifinal win over Dynamo Kursk.[37][38][39]United States National Team Appearances
Maya Moore joined the United States women's senior national basketball team in 2010, marking the start of her international career with USA Basketball.[20] Over the next six years, she participated in four major tournaments—the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Championships and the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games—helping the team achieve a perfect 31–0 record across these events.[40] Her contributions included scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, with standout performances earning her individual accolades. In the 2010 FIBA World Championship held in Czech Republic, Moore averaged 8.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game across nine contests, aiding the USA in securing the gold medal with an undefeated record.[41] Selected as a forward on the 2012 Olympic roster, she posted 9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in eight games during the London Games, where the team again went unbeaten to claim gold.[41] [42] Moore's performance elevated in the 2014 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, where she averaged 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in six games, earning tournament MVP honors and a spot on the All-Tournament Team as the USA captured gold with another flawless run.[41] [43] At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she started all eight games, averaging 12.0 points on 52.0% field goal shooting, 5.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, contributing to the team's eighth consecutive Olympic gold.[1] [41] Moore's national team tenure concluded after the 2016 Games, as she stepped away from basketball to focus on activism.[44]Career Statistics
High School and College Stats
At Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, Maya Moore contributed to a four-year team record of 125 wins and 3 losses, including three Georgia Class 5A state championships and one runner-up finish.[21][17] As a junior in the 2005-06 season, she averaged 23.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 5.4 steals per game, helping the Eagles achieve a 31-1 record.[17] Moore played college basketball for the University of Connecticut from 2007 to 2011, appearing in 154 games over four seasons while helping the Huskies compile a 150-4 record, including two NCAA Championships in 2009 and 2010.[26] Her career per-game averages were 19.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks, with shooting percentages of 52.4% from the field, 40.0% from three-point range, and 79.6% from the free-throw line.[26] Career totals included 3,036 points, 1,276 rebounds, 544 assists, 310 steals, and 204 blocks.[26]| Season | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 38 | 29.5 | 17.8 | 7.6 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 1.6 | .543 | .420 | .743 |
| 2008-09 | 39 | 31.0 | 19.3 | 8.9 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 1.5 | .521 | .398 | .780 |
| 2009-10 | 39 | 28.2 | 18.9 | 8.3 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.0 | .515 | .417 | .790 |
| 2010-11 | 38 | 33.0 | 22.8 | 8.2 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 1.2 | .524 | .384 | .843 |
| Career | 154 | 30.4 | 19.7 | 8.3 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 1.3 | .524 | .400 | .796 |
WNBA Regular Season and Playoffs
Maya Moore compiled impressive regular season statistics over eight seasons with the Minnesota Lynx from 2011 to 2018, averaging 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game across 271 games.[28] Her per-game averages by season are detailed below:| Season | Games | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 34 | 28.0 | .439 | .369 | .788 | 4.6 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 13.2 |
| 2012 | 34 | 29.7 | .465 | .388 | .879 | 6.0 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 16.4 |
| 2013 | 34 | 31.4 | .509 | .453 | .882 | 6.2 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 18.5 |
| 2014 | 34 | 34.7 | .481 | .335 | .884 | 8.1 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 23.9 |
| 2015 | 33 | 33.4 | .420 | .359 | .855 | 6.7 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 20.6 |
| 2016 | 34 | 29.7 | .448 | .404 | .868 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 19.3 |
| 2017 | 34 | 31.3 | .442 | .411 | .858 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 17.3 |
| 2018 | 34 | 31.8 | .423 | .365 | .833 | 5.1 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 18.0 |
| Year | Games | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 8 | 27.1 | .458 | .333 | .750 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 13.8 |
| 2012 | 9 | 32.7 | .429 | .417 | .917 | 5.2 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 16.4 |
| 2013 | 7 | 32.1 | .531 | .375 | .900 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 20.9 |
| 2014 | 5 | 36.0 | .444 | .400 | 1.000 | 6.0 | 5.4 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 19.8 |
| 2015 | 10 | 35.7 | .418 | .333 | .833 | 7.3 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 23.4 |
| 2016 | 8 | 32.9 | .522 | .400 | .957 | 7.3 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 22.4 |
| 2017 | 8 | 33.5 | .525 | .571 | .714 | 5.3 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 18.3 |
| 2018 | 1 | 35.2 | .400 | .250 | .200 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 14.0 |