MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – 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,” said Moore. “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 Reeve and the Lynx community for all of the support and am excited to continue this next chapter in my life.”
A four-time WNBA champion , Moore finishes her career as the Lynx franchise leader in scoring average (18.4), three-point field goals made (530) and steals (449) and finished second in total points scored (4,984), field goals made (1,782), assists (896) and blocks (176). Additionally, Moore holds the single-season franchise record for points (812, 2014) and scoring average (23.9, 2014). Moore was drafted by Minnesota No.1 overall in the 2011 WNBA Draft and appeared in 271 games (all starts) and averaged 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
The Jefferson City, Mo., native will retire with an impressive résumé that includes 2011 Rookie of the Year, eight-consecutive playoff appearances, six WNBA Finals appearances, four WNBA championships (including one Finals MVP), six All-Star appearances (three All-Star MVPs) and Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 2012 and 2016. After the 2014 season, Moore was named league MVP finishing the season with a career-high 812 points (23.9 ppg), connecting on 295-of-613 from the field (48.1%), a career best 276 rebounds, 116 assists and 64 steals in 34 games played.
Moore is one of two players (Diana Taurasi) to tally at least three games scoring 40+ points in the regular season and the only player in WNBA history to have at least four 40+ scoring performances in both the regular season and playoffs throughout their career. In 2016, she was named to the WNBA’s Top 20@20 Team, honoring the league’s best 20 players as part of its 20th anniversary celebration. When the WNBA celebrated their 25th anniversary, Moore was selected to The W25, a collection of the 25 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history.
“Maya Moore has forever left a mark on the state of Minnesota, the Minnesota Lynx franchise and the hearts of Lynx fans everywhere,” said Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor. “Maya’s accolades are numerous; her leadership and talent both fearless and inspirational set the foundation for the most exciting and historic championship run in the league from 2011-2017. While today culminates Maya’s basketball career, there is no doubt she will continue to impact the game we all love. We wish Maya all the best and will root for her always.”
Moore joined the Lynx after a storied career at the University of Connecticut, that saw her reach milestones never seen before in the women’s collegiate game. Moore entered the WNBA as the only three-time Wade Trophy winner (2009, 2010, 2011) in NCAA history. She also won the John R. Wooden and Naismith Awards twice (2009, 2011), and became only the second player in NCAA history to achieve four-time All-America status. A three-time Big East Player of the Year, Moore became the first player – male or female – to capture the Big East Player of the Year honors as a freshman (2007-08).
Moore finished her four-year collegiate career with a win/loss record of 150-4, which includes two National Championships (2009, 2010). The 150 wins represent the most over a single career in NCAA basketball history – male or female. Moore appeared in as many NCAA Final Fours (four) over her career as she had total losses (four) and finished with an unblemished 81-0 at home. Moore captained the Huskies to an NCAA-record 90-game winning streak that spanned over two seasons before being snapped by Stanford on Dec. 30, 2010.
“On behalf of the Minnesota Lynx organization, I want to congratulate Maya on an incredible basketball career,” said Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve. “We will always cherish her time in a Lynx uniform and we wish her the best as she continues to pursue this next chapter of her life.”
Over her eight-year WNBA career, Moore appeared in 271 regular season games (all starts) and averaged 18.4 ppg (45.3% shooting), 5.9 rpg and 3.3 apg. Moore holds the highest winning percentage of any player in Lynx history at 73.8% (min. 100 regular season games played) with an impressive 200-71 record and is one of just three players in franchise history to mark 200 regular season wins, joining Seimone Augustus (225) and Lindsay Whalen (201).
Moore appeared in 56 postseason contests, posting averages of 19.2 ppg (on 46.6% shooting), 6.0 rpg and 3.2 apg. Throughout her postseason career, Moore holds a 40-16 record joining a four-way tie with Rebekkah Brunson (40-15), Whalen (40-16) and Augustus (40-17) for most postseason wins in Lynx history.
