The bittersweetness to Maya Moore’s jersey retirement
In just a few short weeks, retired WNBA star Maya Moore will have her jersey permanently lifted to the rafters at Target Center on Aug. 24, a testament to her incredible career with the Minnesota Lynx.
That Saturday will be a historical, bittersweet day for the Lynx franchise and fans.
I grew up as a huge basketball fan, especially WNBA (and still am). I remember playing in basketball games myself and wanting to mirror Maya Moore or Lindsey Whalen. I remember being lucky enough to get an autograph from Seimone Augustus after a game in 2013. Most of all, I remember being completely mesmerized by Moore every time she stepped on the court.
As Target Center grew electric and fans were cheering on the Lynx in their warmups on Oct. 16, 2016, before game five against the Los Angeles Sparks for the title, I remember telling my friend I was with, “I can’t believe we get to see a championship game.”
The Lynx had become champions in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. They advanced to the Finals seven years in a row. There was an ongoing joke with fans that they were prone to winning in an odd numbered year.
That proved to remain true as Nneka Ogwumike hit a short jumper with three seconds left to give the Sparks a 77-76 win and defeat the reigning champions.
The loss stung, sure, but that entire era of the Lynx, I believe, will be remembered as one of the most powerful and strongest teams the sport of basketball we will see. Moore, Whalen, Augustus, Sylvia Fowles and Rebekkah Brunson together were a powerhouse.
Talking about Moore specifically, her impact on basketball is forever marked. After being selected first overall by Minnesota in 2011, she immediately won a title and three more, was Rookie of the Year, the 2014 MVP, a six-time All-Star and was named a first team all-WNBA selection for five seasons. She played a total of eight seasons. Throughout the duration, she averaged 18.4 points per game.
Moore was the power forward we all wanted to be.
Truthfully, she was an idol of mine throughout the entire time I played basketball, and I know plenty of my teammates felt the same. We couldn’t believe we had the Maya Moore in our city.
Although her professional career came to a quick end and it caused an emotional outbreak through fans, the reason why was understandable.
Three months before her ninth season was set to begin, Moore announced on Feb. 5, 2019 that she was taking time away from the court to focus on fighting social injustices. She then announced her official retirement from the sport in January 2023.
To say her impact has helped others on and off the court is an understatement, and she remains an inspiration to many.
Fast forward to now, and Moore (No. 23) will become the fifth player in the Lynx franchise to have her number retired. Meaningfully, the other four are who she won championships with: Whalen (No. 13), Brunson (No. 32), Augustus (No. 33) and Fowles (No. 34).
The growth of women’s basketball this past year has been astonishing to say the least.
The Lynx will be hosting Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever on jersey retirement day, and Clark has voiced on several occasions that Moore is her favorite player.
Moore surprised Clark before Iowa’s game on March 2, 2024, before she broke the all-time NCAA points record. There are many invisible strings playing into the Aug. 24 date, and it’s bound to be a great night to celebrate one of the best.
A momentous day awaits for Moore, the WNBA and all her fans.
Thank you, Maya.