Maya MooreThe basketball legend, who won four WNBA championships and two gold medals, announced her retirement from the sport on Monday at the age of 33.
Moore announced his decision on ABC’s “Good Morning America”. the former minnesota lynx The star left the WNBA to help her now-husband, Jonathan Irons, be released from prison in 2020 after serving a 50-year sentence. After his release, the two married, and in July the couple had their first child.
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Minnesota Lynx first-round draft picks Maya Moore, left, and Amber Harris talk to reporters, the day after the WNBA basketball draft, on April 12, 2011, in Minneapolis.
(Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP, File)
“Well, I guess it’s time to move on to the pro basketball life,” she said. “I left four seasons ago but want to officially retire. This is a lovely time for us and our family. I look forward to continuing the work we’ve done in my next chapter. Be home to the family.”
Moore told reporters after the televised appearance that she was very focused on her off-court priorities and that playing basketball was not on her mind.
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Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx in action against the Seattle Storm in the first half of a WNBA basketball game on September 10, 2013 in Seattle.
(AP Photo/Ellen Thompson)
“Just trying to learn a new rhythm outside of playing—I didn’t really wrestle with that desire to change tempo,” she said, “I just wasn’t thinking that I was playing again. . I just felt such a sense of purpose.”
The Lynx selected Moore with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft. Before turning pro, she was a four-time All-American, a three-time Wade Trophy winner, and a two-time NCAA champion with Connecticut.
Moore directed Links to the Four Championships, She was a six-time All-Star and was the 2014 WNBA MVP. In his final season with the Lynx, he averaged 18 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
“On behalf of the Minnesota Lynx organization, I want to congratulate Maya on an incredible basketball career,” said Cheryl Reeve, Lynx coach and president of basketball operations. “We will always cherish her time in a Lynx uniform and we wish her all the best as she continues this next chapter of her life.”
Maya Moore (7) and Angel McCoughtry (8) both greet the crowd after defeating Canada in the women’s quarterfinal basketball match at The Basketball Arena during the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 in London.
(Reuters/Mike Sager)
She will be eligible for the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.
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“Her four WNBA championships, six All-Star selections, one MVP award and one Finals MVP trophy are signs of the rare, generational talent Maya brought to this league, but perhaps her greatest legacy will be what she accomplished beyond the game.” Is,” said WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbart.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.