Lynx legend Maya Moore shed tears Saturday night as she stood at center court to see her No. 23 jersey retired to the rafters of the Target Center.
MINNEAPOLIS — Lynx legend Maya Moore shed tears Saturday night as she stood at center court to see her No. 23 jersey retired to the rafters of the Target Center.
Moments after the Minnesota team she once led wrapped up a playoff spot with a 90-80 victory over the Indiana Fever and a year after she officially retired from the WNBA, Moore was surrounded by former teammates, friends and family members as her number was unveiled alongside the other stars of the 2017 WNBA title team: Rebekkah Brunson, Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles and Seimone Augustus.
Most of the record crowd for a Lynx home game — 19,023 — stayed in their seats to honor Moore, who helped the franchise win four WNBA titles.
„My life is an example of what it looks like when we love a little girl well“, she said. „There is no way we’re watching that [ceremony] without love. So many people having a hand in my life to show me what life is about. That’s what I tried to bring every day: life and joy. Because I’ve been a recipient of life and joy.“
Moore was given a customized chest from Jordan Brand — she was the first woman signed by the company — that included a fashionable letter jacket and multiple pairs of gold shoes. A video montage also played during the ceremony for Moore, who spent eight seasons in Minneapolis. It included praise from some of her top opponents. In the video, Mercury star Diana Taurasi said Moore was at times „unstoppable“ whenever they competed.
Moore, the 2014 WNBA MVP, was also celebrated by those who also helped turn the franchise into a powerhouse under head coach Cheryl Reeve.
„You helped all of us elevate our games to another level and we reached new heights to another level that we probably didn’t think we would ever achieve by winning four championships and doing so many awesome things together“, Augustus said.
