Maya April Moore (born June 11, 1989) is an American social justice advocate and former professionalbasketball player. Naming her their inaugural Performer of the Year in 2017,Sports Illustrated called Moore the "greatest winner in the history of women's basketball".[2] Moore was selected for theWomen's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.[3] In 2025, Moore was selected to be inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[4]
In high school, Moore was the National Gatorade Player of the Year, the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, and a McDonald's All-American. She playedforward for theUConn women's basketball team and won back to back national championships in2009 and2010. She was selected as theJohn Wooden Award winner in 2009 after leadingConnecticut to an undefeated national championship. The following season, Moore led Connecticut to its second straight national championship and continued its overall undefeated streak at 78; in the 2010–11 season, she led the Huskies in extending that streak to an NCAA both-gender record (all divisions) of 90. That season, Moore became the first female basketball player to sign withAir Jordan.[5] After the 2017 season, her win–loss record in the U.S. since high school was497–78.[6]
Moore was the first overall pick in the2011 WNBA draft and joined a Minnesota Lynx team that already featured all-star caliber players inSeimone Augustus,Rebekkah Brunson, andLindsay Whalen. Moore has won fourWNBA championships (2011,2013,2015, and2017), aWNBA Most Valuable Player Award (2014),[7] aWNBA Finals MVP Award (2013),[8] three WNBA All-Star Game MVPs (2015, 2017, and 2018), twoOlympic gold medals (2012 and2016), aWNBA Scoring Title (2014), and theWNBA Rookie of the Year Award (2011).[9] She has also been selected to six WNBA All-Star teams and seven All-WNBA teams. The relative timing of the seasons of the WNBA and the top leagues in other countries has allowed Moore to compete throughout the year. In 2012, she won both theSpanish league title andEuroLeague title playing forRos Casares Valencia. From 2013 to 2015, Moore also won the Chinese league title every year. Moore won a second Euroleague title playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in 2018.
Moore is one of 11 women to earn an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA Championship, a FIBA World Cup gold and a WNBA Championship. Moore was included inTime's 100 Most Influential People of 2020.[10]
Moore was born on June 11, 1989, inJefferson City, Missouri. She is the daughter of Kathryn Moore.[11] Moore had her first exposure to basketball at the age of three when her mother mounted a hoop on the back door of their apartment. She attended Moreau Heights Elementary School as a child, then later on went to Creekland Middle School.[12][citation needed]
Moore was a four-year starter atCollins Hill High School inGwinnett County, nearSuwanee, Georgia, where she had a 125–3 record with the Eagles. Moore was named to the USA Today Freshman and Sophomore All-America Teams. During her junior year in 2005–06, averaged 23.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 5.4 steals as a junior at Collins Hill. Moore was named theNaismith Prep Player of the Year. She was only the second junior to win the Naismith award[13] Her first dunk was one-handed off an alley-oop pass in warm-ups at a dunk contest in Charlotte, NC in December 2005. She was 16 at the time.[14]
As a senior, she averaged 25.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.3 steals. In December 2006, she led the Collins Hill Eagles over Poly (Long Beach, California) by a score of 75–61, resulting in her being selected unanimously as theMost Valuable Player of the Tournament of Champions inChandler, Arizona. In the title game of the "T-Mobile Invitational" inSeattle, she scored 48 points in a win overSt. Elizabeth. Moore helped lead her high school to four consecutive state championships appearances, including three Georgia state titles and the 2007 National Championship. Moore is a three-time Georgia 5A Player of the Year and 2007 Miss Georgia Basketball. Moore finished as Collins High School's all-time leader in points (2,664) rebounds (1,212), assists (407) and steals (467).[15]
In addition to basketball, she also participated in track and field. Moore finished as the runner-up in the high jump at the 2005 Georgia State 5A Championships. She was also an excellent student, as she graduated from high school with a 4.0 grade point average. Moore was the recipient of the Atlanta Journal Cup. Moore announced that she would play college basketball at theUniversity of Connecticut. Moore is only the second player to win theNaismith Prep Player of the Year Award following both junior and senior prep seasons, joiningCandace Parker. Moore is also a two-time Parade Magazine First Team All-America, three-time Georgia 5A Player of the Year, three-time Street & Smith All-America Team selection, four-time Georgia Class 5A All-State First Team selection, and a member of the 2006 Sports Illustrated All-America Team. Moore received several awards for her performance her senior year, including the 2007 WBCA National Player of the Year, 2007 Parade Magazine All-America of the Year, and 2007 Morgan Wootten Award Winner which is presented to the McDonald's All-America Player of the Year.[15]
Maya Moore played for the Georgia Metros 16U Nike Travel Team in both 2005 and 2006. The Georgia Metros went 73–6 in those two travel seasons, and Maya led them to four National Championships: The AAU 16U National Championship in Orlando (where she was the MVP, as a 15-year-old) in 2005; the US Junior Nationals Championship in DC, twice, in both 2005 and 2006; and the Nike Nationals Championship in 2006. Notable teammates while with the Georgia Metros included Kelly Cain (Tennessee), Ashley Houts (Georgia), Alicia Manning (Tennessee), Morgan Toles (Auburn/FSU), Charenee Stephens (South Carolina), Taylor Turnbow (LSU), Jordan Greenleaf (Auburn), and D'Andra Moss (VCU).
Moore was unanimously selected as the Big East Preseason Freshman of the Year by the league's coaches.[16] On November 11, 2007, Moore made her collegiate debut for UConn, recording 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals in a 98–35 win over Stony Brook. Moore scored 678 points, the most by a freshman in program history.[17] She also set six UConn freshman records. After leading UConn to the Big East regular-season title, she was named a unanimousBig East Freshman of the Year and became the first freshman, male or female, to be named theBig East Player of the Year.[18] She was also a unanimous first-team All-Big East and Big East All-Freshman Team selection. Moore was a 10-time Big East Freshman of the Week, setting a conference record.[19] In the Final Four, Moore recorded 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in an 82–73 loss to Stanford and finished the season with a 36–2 record.[20] Moore was a unanimous first-team All-American: she earned first-team All-American honors from the AP and the USBWA, and made the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Coaches' All-America Team.[21] Additionally, she was awarded the USBWA National Freshman of the Year presented by the United States Basketball Writers Association.[22]
On November 16, 2008, Moore made her sophomore season debut, recording 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in an 82–71 win over Georgia Tech.[23] On January 17, 2009, she posted 40 points and 13 rebounds in a 107–53 win over Syracuse.[24] Moore became fastest UConn player to reach 1,000 career points and set the mark for number of 3-point field goals made in the Big East history at 10. At the end of the regular season, she was unanimously namedBig East Player of the Year and first-team All-Big East by the league's coaches and media. In the Big East Tournament, Moore averaged 21.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.3 blocks. She was named most outstanding player (MOP) of the tournament. Moore helped lead her team to an undefeated 39–0 season and the 2009 National Championship, and was named to the 2009 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team. Moore won theAP Player of the Year (first sophomore to win the award),Naismith College Player of the Year,USBWA National Player of the Year and theJohn R. Wooden Award and theWade Trophy.[25] She was a unanimous first-team All-American for a second straight season, earning first-team recognition from the AP and USBWA[26] and making the WBCA Coaches' All-America Team.[21] In July 2009, she won theBest Female College Athlete ESPY Award.[27]
Moore led her team to a second straight undefeated 39–0 season and the 2010 National Championship. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.[28] On March 7, Moore recorded 16 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and five steals in a 77–41 win over Syracuse in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Big East tournament. She became the fifth player in school history to score 2,000 points. Moore was awarded theWade Trophy as the best women's college basketball player in NCAA Division I.[29] After the regular season, she was named the BIG EAST Scholar Athlete of the Year; was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press and the USBWA, with the AP vote being unanimous. Moore was also named a first-team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Moore won Best Women's College Basketball Player at the 2010 ESPYs.[30]
In her final year at UConn, Moore posted career highs in scoring (22.3 ppg), assists (4.1 apg) and steals (2.2 spg). On March 29, Moore became the first player in school history to reach 3,000 points. She won her secondNaismith College Player of the Year award, her third straightWade Trophy (only player in history – freshmen are not eligible for this award),[25] her secondAssociated Press Women's College Basketball Player of the Year award and her secondUSBWA Women's National Player of the Year award; she was also voted Big East Player of The Year (third time) and a fourth straight unanimous First-Team All-American in WBCA, USBWA and AP polls (second player ever after Oklahoma'sCourtney Paris). At the Final Four, UConn was upset by Big East rival Notre Dame, 72–63, and finished the season with a 36–2 record. Moore was named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team.
During her college career Moore won 150 games and only lost four,[31] amassing a total 3036 points (first Husky ever and fourth all-time in NCAA division I women's basketball), 1276 rebounds (second Husky ever), 310 steals (third Husky ever), 544 assists (sixth Husky ever) and 204 blocks (fourth Husky ever); she is the only women's basketball player in Division I history to record 2500 points, 1000 rebounds, 500 assists, 250 steals and 150 blocked shots. On February 28, she was enshrined in theHuskies of Honor (3rd time ever for an active player).[31]
Moore was also an impressive college student: she graduated with a 3.7 GPA, earning theElite 88 Award, and was named Cosida Academic All-America First-Team in 2009, 2010 and 2011,Cosida Academic All-America of the Year in 2010 and 2011[32] (1st player to ever repeat) andAll-sports Academic All-America of the Year in 2011.[33]
After graduation, Moore was selected by theMinnesota Lynx as the first overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft (fourth time for a Husky), also becoming the first female basketball player signed to the Jordan Brand.[34]
Maya Moore's professional career, like her high school and college career, has been filled with championships. In her first three years, she made three WNBA finals, one Eurobasket final, and two WCBA finals, and won five of the six possible championships she could have. Along the way, she has established herself as one of the best professional women's players in the game. In 2015, she won the WNBA All-Star MVP award. This makes her one of only three players, the others beingLisa Leslie, andCandace Parker who have won the MVP award for the WNBA regular-season, the WNBA finals, and the All-Star game.[35]
Moore was selected 1st overall in the2011 WNBA draft by theMinnesota Lynx.[36] She joined a team that already featured talented players likeLindsay Whalen,Rebekkah Brunson, andSeimone Augustus, and helped the Lynx to their best record in franchise history, as well as the best record in the WNBA.[37] Moore was named WNBA Rookie of the Month for July and August, and played in the WNBA All-Star Game.[38][39] Though Moore admitted that she struggled at times to adapt to the extraordinary level of talent in the WNBA, her play still earned herRookie of the Year honors.[40]
During theplayoffs, Moore was her team's second-leading scorer. She led her team in scoring once, in the final game of the Western Conference finals, when she poured in 21 points, including sixthree-pointers.[41] In October 2011, Maya became only the second player in league history to win Rookie of the Year honors and a WNBA championship in the same year.[42][43]
In 2012, Moore helped the Lynx begin the season with a 10–0 run, the best start inWNBA history.[44] The Lynx went on to equal 2011's 27–7 mark, finishing as the top seed in the WNBA Playoffs for a second straight year. The Lynx advanced to the2012 WNBA Finals, for the second straight season, but fell to theIndiana Fever.In 2013, Moore elevated her game, she led the Lynx in points, and became the first player in WNBA history to lead the league in boththree-point field goals and three-point shooting percentage.[45] Moore was twice selected WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month, and three times selected WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week. Meanwhile, the Lynx once again had the best record in the WNBA, finishing 26–8. The Lynx swept through the playoffs, winning their second WNBA championship. Moore was namedWNBA Finals MVP, leading her team in scoring two of the three games in the Finals.
In the fourth game of the 2014 season, Moore set a new WNBA record by scoring 30 or more points in four consecutive games. On July 22, 2014, Maya scored a career-high 48 points, the second highest single-game total in WNBA history.[46] She also had another 40-point game just a week later. She then set a WNBA record by scoring 30+ points in twelve games in one season. She would end up averaging a career-high 23.9 points per game and for the first time in her career, Moore won theWNBA Most Valuable Player Award. Minnesota entered the playoffs as the number 2 seed in the Western Conference. They had a record of 25–9, the 2nd best record in the Western Conference and also the entire WNBA. They played the number 3 seed of the Western Conference, theSan Antonio Stars, in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Lynx swept the Stars 2–0. Then they faced the number 1 overall seededPhoenix Mercury in the Western Conference Finals. They lost Game 1 85–71, as Maya scored fewer than 10 points for the first and only time the entire season. But in Game 2, she rebounded with 32 points and led her team to an 82–77 victory. They played in Phoenix for the 3rd and final game, and lost 96–78, failing to make the WNBA Finals for the 1st time in 4 seasons.
Prior to the 2015 season, Moore re-signed with the Lynx to a multi-year deal once her rookie contract expired.[47] In the 2015 season, Moore was named to the2015 WNBA All-Star Game and was awarded MVP after scoring a WNBA All-Star Game record, 30 points.[48] Midway through the season, the Lynx had traded forSylvia Fowles to bolster the Lynx's roster at the center position. The Lynx were first place in the Western Conference, advanced all the way to the finals and won its third WNBA championship in five years by beating the Indiana Fever, three games to two. One of the memorable highlights of the finals was in Game 3 where Moore hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer. She was also named to the All-WNBA First Team in 2015.[49]
In 2016, Moore was chosen to theWNBA Top 20@20, a list of the league's best 20 players ever in celebration of the WNBA's twentieth anniversary. She was the youngest of the 20 winners.[50] During the 2016 season, Moore averaged 19.3 points per game and the Lynx remained a potent, championship contending team, finishing with a new franchise best 28–6 record. With the WNBA's new playoff format in effect, the Lynx were the number 1 seed in the league with a double-bye to the semi-finals (the last round before the WNBA Finals) facing thePhoenix Mercury. The Lynx defeated the Mercury in a 3-game sweep, advancing to the WNBA Finals for the fifth time in six years. The Lynx were up against theLos Angeles Sparks, making it the second time in league history where two teams from the same conference faced each other in the Finals due to the new playoff format. During a loss in Game 1, Moore passedDiana Taurasi for most points scored in WNBA Finals history (262).[51] Facing a 2–1 deficit, Moore took over in Game 4, scoring a game-high 31 points to lead the Lynx to an 85–79 win, forcing a Game 5. The Lynx would end up losing Game 5 77–76 off a game-winning shot byNneka Ogwumike as the Sparks became 2016 WNBA Champions.
In the 2017 season, Moore was voted into the2017 WNBA All-Star Game, making it her fifth all-star game appearance. Moore won her second All-Star MVP award after scoring a team-high 23 points for the Western Conference All-Stars team in a 130–121 victory.[52] With Fowles being the more focal point of the Lynx's offense, Moore would be the second highest scoring player on the team with 17.3 ppg. On August 12, 2017, the Lynx made history as they defeated the Indiana Fever 111–52, marking it the largest margin of victory in WNBA history, they also exploded on a league record 40–0 scoring run during the game.[53] The Lynx once again finished as the number 1 seed in the league with a 27–7 record, receiving a double-bye to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, the Lynx defeated theWashington Mystics in a 3-game sweep, advancing to the WNBA Finals for the sixth time in seven years, setting up a rematch with the Sparks. The Lynx would avenge the previous season's Finals loss, defeating the Sparks in five games to win their fourth WNBA championship in seven years, tying the now-defunctHouston Comets for most championship titles.
On July 22, 2018, Moore scored a season-high 38 points in an 80–75 victory over the Mercury.[54] In the 2018 season, Moore was voted into the2018 WNBA All-Star Game and would win her third All-Star MVP award, after leading Team Parker to a 119–112 victory with 18 points.[55] Moore led the team in scoring with 18 ppg as the Lynx finished with number 7 seed with an 18–16 record. This was first time in 8 years where the Lynx did not finish as a top 2 seed in the league. They would face off against the Los Angeles Sparks in the first round elimination game, they lost 75–68, ending their run of three consecutive finals appearances.
In February 2019, Moore wrote forThe Players' Tribune that she would miss the upcoming season to focus on family and ministry dreams.[56] In January 2020, she announced that she would once again miss the upcoming WNBA season as well as the 2020 Olympic games in order to focus on her advocacy for criminal justice reform.[57][58]
From 2019 to 2023, Moore took a hiatus from her WNBA career to focus on reform in the American justice system. On January 16, 2023, Moore announced onGood Morning America that she was officially retiring from basketball.[59]
Moore signed with the Spanish clubRos Casares Valencia for the 2011–2012 season. She joined the team late due to her title run with the Lynx.
In 10EuroLeague Women games, Moore averaged 12.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists, helping Ros Casares win its first ever EuroLeague championship on April 1, 2012.[60]
Three weeks later, Ros Casares also won the Spanish domestic league (Liga Femenina de Baloncesto) title, with Moore scoring a team-high 20 points in the April 24 final.[61] The win overPerfumerías Avenida also revenged the March loss in theCopa de la Reina (Queen's Cup) final, when Moore scored a game-high 24.[62]
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In 2012, Moore signed with the Chinese clubShanxi Flame, playing under Spanish coachLucas Mondelo.[63] It was the club's first year in theWomen's Chinese Basketball Association, and they started the season 0–2 with American importEbony Hoffman. As soon as Moore arrived and replaced Hoffman (since the league only allows 1 non-Asian player per team), the team won 10 in a row.[64] In her third game, she had 60 points, 13 rebounds, 6 blocks and 5 steals against Yunnan.[65] Moore finished her first season inShanxi averaging 37.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.5 steals per game, leading the Flame to the championship in a 3–1 series over Zhejiang.[66][67]
In Moore's second year with Shanxi, she again took her team to the finals, averaging 43.3 points per game in a 3–1 series win over Beijing. It was Moore's fifth professional championship in three years.[68] For the season she averaged 39.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 4.3 steals per game.[69]
In the 2014–2015 season, Shanxi won its third straight title, beating theBrittney Griner-led Beijing 3–1 in the finals after dropping the first game.[70] She averaged 30.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.6 steals per game for the season[69] while fighting a knee injury.[71]
Despite the language barrier Moore is well-liked in Shanxi, not solely for her on-court dominance but also for her humility and friendly interactions with fans,[72] who called her the "Invincible Queen" (不败女王).[67] For her contributions to the city, she was awarded "Honorary Citizen ofTaiyuan" by Taiyuan's municipal government.[73]
On January 2, 2018, Russian basketball club UMMC Ekaterinburg announced that Maya Moore had joined their team for the remainder of the 2017/2018 EuroLeague season.[74] Moore would go on to average 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists with UMMC.[75] UMMC would win each of their final six games of the regular season.[76] On April 22, UMMC won the EuroLeague Championship, with Moore scoring 17 points, dishing out 7 assists, and recording 4 steals in the final game.[77]
Moore was invited to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp in the fall of 2009, one of only three college players and the only junior to be invited to the training camp.[78] The team selected to participate at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics was chosen from these players. At the conclusion of the training camp, the team traveled to Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they competed in the 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational.[78]
Moore was one of twenty players named to the national team pool. Twelve of this group were chosen to represent the US at the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics.[79]
The USA National team began training in April 2010 to prepare for theFIBA World Championship starting in September 2010. Moore was one of the players selected for the training sessions, run by the national team coachGeno Auriemma. The teams played informal scrimmages, with one team made up of the players expected to be on the national team, and the other team made up of invited all-star college players, referred to as the select team. Although Moore was still in college, she was invited to be part of the national team. In the first two ten-minute games, Moore played with the national team and helped them to two wins. Then Moore switched jerseys, and played for the select team. In both games, the select team won, with Moore making the assist to put the team ahead, then stealing the ball and making the game winning shot in the final seconds. Moore ended up being on the winning side in all four games.[80]
Moore was named as one of the national team members to represent the USA Basketball team in the WNBA versus USA Basketball.[81] This game replaced the WNBA All-Star game with WNBA All-Stars versus USA Basketball, as part of the preparation for theFIBA World Championship for Women to be held in theCzech Republic during September and October 2010. Moore was selected to be a member of the National team representing the US at the World Championship. The team was coached byGeno Auriemma. Because many team members were still playing in the WNBA until just prior to the event, the team had only one day of practice with the entire team before leaving forOstrava andKarlovy Vary. Even with limited practice, the team managed to win its first game against Greece by 26 points. The team continued to dominate with victory margins exceeding 20 points in the first five games. Several players shared scoring honors, withSwin Cash,Angel McCoughtry, Moore,Diana Taurasi,Lindsay Whalen, andSylvia Fowles all ending as high scorer in the first few games. The sixth game was against undefeated Australia — the US jumped out to a 24-point lead and ultimately prevailed 83–75. Team USA won its next two games by over 30 points, then faced the host team, the Czech Republic, in the championship game. The US team had only a five-point lead at halftime, which was then cut to three points, but the Czechs never got closer. Team USA went on to win the championship and gold medal. Moore averaged 8.7 points per game.[82]
Moore was one of 21 finalists for the 2012 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team Roster. The 20 WNBA players, plus one collegiate player (Brittney Griner), were selected by the USA Basketball Women's National Team Player Selection Committee to compete for the final roster to represent the US at the2012 Summer Olympics in London.[83] Moore won a gold medal with Team USA in 2012, in doing so joiningSheryl Swoopes,Cynthia Cooper-Dyke,Ruth Riley,Tamika Catchings and fellow UConn alumsKara Wolters,Swin Cash,Sue Bird, andDiana Taurasi on the elite list of female basketball players to have won NCAA titles, WNBA Championships and Olympic gold medals.
Moore was one of 33 finalists for the U.S. Women's FIBA World Championship roster. The 32 WNBA players, plus one collegiate player (Breanna Stewart), were selected by the USA Basketball Women's National Team Player Selection Committee to compete for the final roster to represent the US at theFIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey during September and October 2014. Moore made the final roster of 12 players, announced on September 23, 2014.[84] Moore won the gold medal with the team in 2014, having now won 3 gold medals with the U.S. team. She was named to the all-tournament team and won the tournament MVP award.
USA Basketball named Moore to the squad that would play at the2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, which would be her second Olympic tournament.[85] Moore earned her second gold medal, helping the US overcome Spain 101–72 in the final.
| Season | Team | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–2005 | Collins Hill High School | 32 | 19.4 | 8.6 | 3.1 | 2.8 |
| 2005–2006 | Collins Hill High School | 32 | 23.2 | 11.3 | 4.6 | 5.4 |
| 2006-2007 | Collins Hill High School | 34 | 25.5 | 12.1 | 4.0 | 4.3 |
Over four seasons, Moore played in 128 games and averaged 19.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game.
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| * | Denotes seasons in which Moore won anNCAA Championship |
| Year | Team | GP | Points | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Connecticut | 38 | 678 | .543 | .420 | .743 | 7.6 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 17.8 |
| 2008–09* | Connecticut | 39 | 754 | .521 | .398 | .780 | 8.9 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 19.3 |
| 2009–10* | Connecticut | 39 | 736 | .515 | .417 | .790 | 8.3 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 18.9 |
| 2010–11 | Connecticut | 38 | 868 | .524 | .384 | .843 | 8.2 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 22.8 |
| Career | 154 | 3,036 | .525 | .404 | .798 | 8.3 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 19.7 | |
Source[86]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game | RPG | Rebounds per game |
| APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game | BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
| TO | Turnovers per game | FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| Bold | Career best | ° | League leader |
| † | Denotes seasons in which Moore won aWNBA championship |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011† | Minnesota | 34 | 34 | 29.0 | .439 | .369 | .787 | 4.6 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 13.2 |
| 2012 | Minnesota | 34 | 34 | 29.7 | .465 | .388 | .879 | 6.0 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 16.4 |
| 2013† | Minnesota | 34 | 34 | 31.4 | .509 | .453° | .882 | 6.2 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 18.5 |
| 2014 | Minnesota | 34 | 34 | 34.7 | .481 | .335 | .884 | 8.1 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 23.9° |
| 2015† | Minnesota | 33 | 33 | 33.4 | .420 | .359 | .855 | 6.7 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 20.6 |
| 2016 | Minnesota | 34 | 34 | 29.7 | .448 | .404 | .868 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 19.3 |
| 2017† | Minnesota | 34 | 34 | 31.3 | .442 | .411 | .858 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 17.3 |
| 2018 | Minnesota | 34 | 34 | 31.8 | .423 | .365 | .833 | 5.1 | 2.6 | 1.7° | 0.3 | 1.7 | 18.0 |
| Career | 8 years, 1 team | 271 | 271 | 31.2 | .453 | .384 | .860 | 5.9 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 18.4 |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011† | Minnesota | 8 | 8 | 27.9 | .458 | .400 | .690 | 5.9 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 13.8 |
| 2012 | Minnesota | 9 | 9 | 33.0 | .429 | .433 | .913 | 5.2 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 16.6 |
| 2013† | Minnesota | 7 | 7 | 32.7 | .531 | .400 | .882 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 20.9 |
| 2014 | Minnesota | 5 | 5 | 36.0 | .440 | .333 | 1.000 | 6.0 | 5.4 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 19.8 |
| 2015† | Minnesota | 10 | 10 | 36.1 | .419 | .349 | .868 | 7.3 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 23.4 |
| 2016 | Minnesota | 8 | 8 | 32.9 | .517 | .387 | .935 | 7.3 | 4.6 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 22.4 |
| 2017† | Minnesota | 8 | 8 | 33.4 | .515 | .542 | .730 | 5.3 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 18.3 |
| 2018 | Minnesota | 1 | 1 | 35.2 | .400 | .250 | .200 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 14.0 |
| Career | 8 years, 1 team | 56 | 56 | 33.2 | .467 | .399 | .845 | 6.0 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 19.2 |
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On July 9, 2016, Moore spoke along with co-captainRebekkah Brunson at a news conference about the warm up shirts the Minnesota Lynx wore that day to highlight Black Lives Matter and call for change.[87] The black shirts said "Change starts with us - Justice and Accountability" on the front; the back of the shirts had the names ofPhilando Castile andAlton Sterling, who had been killed in confrontations with police that week. The shirts also included the Dallas police shield to recognize the recent mass shooting in that Texas city where five police officers were killed following a Black Lives Matter demonstration. The Lynx shirts and news conference were an early Black Lives Matter protest among athletes.[citation needed]
In 2017, Moore started Win with Justice to advocate for prosecutorial reform.[88] Writers Chris Herring and Neil Paine recounted her amazing basketball record through her departure from basketball in 2019 and noted that "Moore is special because she could have gone about her business as one of the best players in WNBA history, but instead she chose to lend her voice and platform to victims of injustice."[89] They noted her place as one of the top civil rights voices among athletes. In July 2021, ESPN Films releasedBreakaway about Moore and her social justice advocacy as part of their 30 for 30 series.[90]Robin Roberts was the executive producer of the film. Moore won theArthur Ashe Award for Courage in 2021 for her work on criminal justice reform.[91]
Moore is also an advocate for the End it Movement which seeks to endslavery in modern times.[92]
Moore was also involved in freeing her now-husband, Jonathan Irons, from prison. Wrongfully convicted, Irons served 22 years of a 50-year conviction before being freed at age 40.[93]
Moore is aChristian. Moore has spoken about her faith, saying "Even though I've got a lot of awards and honors, it's nothing compared to what The Lord has done to my heart and what He's done for the world" and "I'm grateful to have the platform of an elite student-athlete and professional basketball player, and I want to do His will with my life."[94][95]
Influenced by her godparents, Moore advocates for prosecutorial reform in the American justice system. Specifically, she pressed for the release of Jonathan Irons from theJefferson City Correctional Center.[96] Irons was serving a 50-year sentence begun when he was 16 years old. Moore took a sabbatical from basketball in 2019 and 2020, hoping to secure his release.[97] Irons was released July 1, 2020.[98][99] In September 2020, Moore toldGood Morning America that she and Irons had gotten married "a couple of months ago".[100] On July 5, 2022, Moore announced the birth of their first child, a son named Jonathan Irons Jr. In 2023, the two published a book,Love and Justice: A Story of Triumph on Two Different Courts.[101]
Moore was the subject of an ESPN Sports Science video clip, discussing her vertical leap, court vision, andmuscle memory. They discussed her ability to steal, noting that she can move her hands faster than the striking speed of a rattlesnake.[102]
On October 28, 2013, Moore was featured as Betty Lou in thePepsi Max series of advertisements written and directed byKyrie Irving, becoming the first WNBA player to be a part of the series.[103] In the "Uncle Drew: Chapter 3" spot, Betty Lou, 'Lights' (Nate Robinson), and 'Uncle Drew' (Irving) hustle a courtyard of young players at Seward Park inChicago, Illinois.[103]
Moore was named to Forbes' 30 Under 30: The Sports World's Brightest Young Stars for 2015.[104]
In November 2016, Moore joined theUNICEF Kid Power philanthropic initiative, participating as one of the UNICEF Kid Power Champions; Moore joined a mission to Haiti that year.[105]
Moore's father, Mike Dabney, who was not part of her life growing up, played collegiate basketball for theRutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball team that reached theFinal Four at the1976 NCAA Division I basketball tournament. He was chosen 36th overall by theLos Angeles Lakers in the third round of the1976 NBA draft, though he did not play in the NBA.[106] Through her father, Moore has a half-sister, Ashley Dabney, who was a collegesenior andtrack and field athlete at Maryland'sTowson University in 2012.[107] Also through her father, Moore has a ten-years younger half-sister, Olivia Dabney,[108] who was a high school basketball player and All-Sophomore/Freshman First Team selection at New Jersey'sRutgers Preparatory School, and went on to play four years with the Division ISacred Heart Pioneers.[109][110]
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named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week a conference record 10 times
Sophomore Maya Moore, the 2008 USBWA Freshman of the Year,
2010 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
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{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)Dabney, who helped the Scarlet Knights reach the 1976 Final Four, walked into Moore's life recently, although the two haven't publicly discussed the details.
...a sister, Maya Moore, was the first ever two-time Naismith Women's College Basketball Player of the Year
UCONN's Maya Moore shares a hug with her sister, Oliva Dabney, 11, ... on Tuesday March 8, 2011
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