Maya Moore, WNBA great, has officially retired from basketball

Maya Moore has officially retired from basketball.

The Minnesota Lynx’s great player stepped out of the WNBA in 2019, to help Jonathan Irons, her now-husband, win his release from prison. 50-year sentence overturned 2020. Irons married Moore shortly after his release and they had their first child, Jonathan Jr. in July.

She announced her decision to retire on “Good Morning America.” Before Monday, Moore had been non-committal about ever playing basketball again.

“Well, I think it’s time to put a close to the pro basketball life,” Moore said. “I was able to walk away from the game four years ago, but I decided to officially retire. It’s a wonderful time for our family. The work we’ve done. It’s something I hope to carry on in our next chapter. To be a home for my family and community. … That’s what I’m moving into. Hanging it up.”

Moore, 33 years old, won four WNBA Championships with the Minnesota Lynx. Moore also won two Olympic gold Medals with USA Basketball. Moore also claimed two NCAA titles together with UConn. Since she retired from basketball four years ago, Moore will be eligible for the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2019. She missed the deadline by one month to be on the ballot this year.

Moore was one of the few athletes who left their sport at the peak of their careers. Moore was drafted No. In 2011, the Lynx selected her as No. 1. She averaged 18.4 point, 5.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals and was drafted No. She won Rookie and League MVP in 2014 and was also the league’s MVP.

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports