The Minnesota Lynx celebrated a historic moment on August 25, 2024. They retired Maya Moore’s number 23 jersey, honoring her incredible basketball career and social justice work. Moore’s jersey now hangs proudly in the Target Arena rafters, alongside other Lynx legends.
WNBA Legend’s Jersey Raised to the Rafters
Maya Moore became the fourth Minnesota Lynx player to have her jersey retired. She joins Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles, Rebekkah Brunson, and Seimone Augustus in this exclusive club. These players were instrumental in building the Lynx dynasty that won four WNBA titles during the 2010s.
The emotional ceremony took place after a game against the Indiana Fever. A record crowd of 19,023 Lynx fans witnessed this touching tribute to Moore’s legacy. The Jordan Brand, which made Moore their first female athlete in 2011, presented her with gold pairs of shoes and a letterman-style jacket.
Moore’s Impact Beyond Basketball
Moore’s influence extends far beyond the basketball court. In 2019, she stepped away from basketball to help free Jonathan Irons, who was wrongfully convicted. Irons was released in 2020 after serving 23 years for a crime he didn’t commit. Moore married Irons in 2020 and they started a family in 2022.
“The journey that I had was not expected, but it was exactly the journey that I was supposed to go on,” Moore said during the ceremony. Her dedication to social justice has inspired many, including her involvement in Black Lives Matter protests in 2016.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Moore’s impact on young basketball players is undeniable. Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark spoke about Moore’s influence, saying, “She was the person for me growing up. Those are the type of people you want your young daughter to idolize.”
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve highlighted Moore’s lasting impact on the team. She pointed to current Lynx star Napheesa Collier as an example of Moore’s legacy. “The impact of Maya Moore is that Napheesa Collier got to dream of one day being like Maya Moore,” Reeve said.
A Legacy of Love and Joy
During her speech, Moore reflected on the love and support she’s received throughout her life. “My life is an example of what it looks like when we love a little girl well,” she said. “There is no way we’re watching that [ceremony] without love.”
Moore’s jersey retirement marks the end of her professional basketball career, but her impact continues to inspire. Her dedication to social justice and her stellar performance on the court have cemented her place as a true icon of the sport.
