Lynx great Maya Moore announces retirement four years after stepping away from basketball

Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore this morning announced her official retirement from the WNBA on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” effective immediately.

“I am extremely thankful for the opportunities that the WNBA, the Minnesota Lynx and basketball have given me in my lifetime,” Moore said in a statement. “It was a dream come true for me to play basketball at the highest level and help build the foundation for women’s basketball. Ever since I was drafted in 2011, the state of Minnesota, Lynx organization and fan base welcomed me with open arms and supported me throughout my entire career. I will forever be grateful for Glen Taylor, Coach (Cheryl) Reeve and the Lynx community for all of the support and am excited to continue this next chapter in my life.”

Considered one of the game’s best players during her eight-year WNBA career, Moore guided Minnesota to four titles. She finishes her career as the franchise leader in scoring average (18.4), 3-pointers (530) and steals (449), while sitting in second in points scored (4,984), field goals made (1,782), assists (896) and blocks (176). Moore possesses single-season Lynx records in points and scoring average.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft out of UConn, Moore was named WNBA Finals MVP in 2013 and League MVP in 2014. She was a six-time all-star who won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA at the international level.

She made a surprising announcement to walk away from basketball in 2019, initially citing her will to focus on family and ministry dreams, before eventually turning her attention to criminal justice reform. She advocated for the release of Jonathan Irons from the Jefferson City correctional center in Missouri.

Irons and Moore are now married with a child. Their book, “Love & Justice: A Story of Triumph on Two Different Courts,” will be released on Tuesday by Andscape Books. The couple spoke with GMA’s Robin Roberts on Monday about their story.