Maya April Moore is an American social justice advocate and former professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest in women's basketball history. Sports Illustrated named her their inaugural Performer of the Year in 2017, calling her the "greatest winner in the history of women's basketball." In 2024, she was selected for induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
1976: Father's Basketball Career
In 1976, Maya Moore's father, Mike Dabney, played college basketball at Rutgers University and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.
June 11, 1989: Birth of Maya Moore
Maya April Moore was born on June 11, 1989.
December 2005: Maya Moore Makes First Dunk
At the age of 16, Maya Moore performed her first dunk during warm-ups for a dunk contest in Charlotte, NC, in December 2005. It was a one-handed dunk off an alley-oop pass.
2005: Maya Moore Leads Georgia Metros to AAU 16U National Championship
As a 15-year-old in 2005, Maya Moore led the Georgia Metros to the AAU 16U National Championship in Orlando, where she was named MVP.
2005: Maya Moore Excels in High Jump
In 2005, Maya Moore demonstrated her athletic versatility by finishing as the runner-up in the high jump at the Georgia State 5A Championships.
December 2006: Maya Moore Leads Collins Hill to Tournament of Champions Victory
In December 2006, Maya Moore led the Collins Hill Eagles to a 75-61 victory over Poly (Long Beach, California) in the Tournament of Champions in Chandler, Arizona. Her performance earned her the unanimous selection of Most Valuable Player.
2006: Maya Moore Leads Georgia Metros to Multiple National Championships
In 2006, Maya Moore continued to excel with the Georgia Metros, leading them to victories in the US Junior Nationals Championship in Washington, D.C., and the Nike Nationals Championship.
2006: Maya Moore Wins Second Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award
Maya Moore became only the second player to win the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award twice, following both her junior and senior prep seasons.
November 11, 2007: Maya Moore Makes Collegiate Debut for UConn
Maya Moore made her highly anticipated collegiate debut for the University of Connecticut on November 11, 2007. She recorded an impressive 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and four steals in a resounding 98-35 victory over Stony Brook.
2007: Maya Moore Wins National Championship and Miss Georgia Basketball
Maya Moore helped lead her high school team to a national championship in 2007. She was also named Miss Georgia Basketball that year.
2007: Maya Moore Wins Multiple Awards in Senior Year
Maya Moore received numerous accolades during her senior year, including the WBCA National Player of the Year, Parade Magazine All-America of the Year, and the Morgan Wootten Award (McDonald's All-America Player of the Year).
November 16, 2008: Sophomore Season Debut
On November 16, 2008, Maya Moore started her sophomore season with a bang, scoring 20 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists in a win against Georgia Tech.
January 17, 2009: Dominant Performance against Syracuse
Maya Moore showcased her scoring prowess on January 17, 2009, by dropping 40 points and securing 13 rebounds in a resounding victory over Syracuse.
July 2009: ESPY Award Winner
In July 2009, Maya Moore's outstanding college basketball career was recognized when she received the ESPY Award for Best Female College Athlete.
2009: Academic All-American Recognition
Maya Moore's commitment to academics was recognized in 2009 when she received the prestigious Cosida Academic All-America First-Team honor.
2009: Invitation to USA Basketball Training Camp
In the fall of 2009, Maya Moore received an invitation to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp. As a junior in college, she was one of only three college players and the sole junior invited to participate. The training camp served as a selection process for the teams representing the US at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics.
2009: Maya Moore Wins First NCAA Championship and John Wooden Award
Maya Moore won her first NCAA championship with the UConn women's basketball team in 2009. She was also named the John Wooden Award winner that year after leading Connecticut to an undefeated season.
April 2010: USA National Team Training
In preparation for the FIBA World Championship, the USA National team commenced training in April 2010. Maya Moore, still a college player at the time, participated in these training sessions, showcasing her skills and readiness to compete at the international level.
September 2010: USA National Team Training
In preparation for the FIBA World Championship, the USA National team commenced training in April 2010. Maya Moore, still a college player at the time, participated in these training sessions, showcasing her skills and readiness to compete at the international level.
October 2010: USA Basketball and FIBA World Championship
In October 2010, Maya Moore joined the USA Basketball team for the WNBA vs. USA Basketball game, a replacement for the WNBA All-Star game. She was then selected for the national team at the FIBA World Championship for Women in the Czech Republic, where the team secured the gold medal. Despite limited practice time, the team dominated, with Moore averaging 8.7 points per game.
2010: Invitation to USA Basketball Training Camp
In the fall of 2009, Maya Moore received an invitation to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp. As a junior in college, she was one of only three college players and the sole junior invited to participate. The training camp served as a selection process for the teams representing the US at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics.
2010: Academic Excellence Continues
Maya Moore continued to excel academically in 2010, earning her second Cosida Academic All-America First-Team selection and being named Cosida Academic All-America of the Year.
2010: Selection for National Team Pool
Maya Moore was among the twenty players selected for the USA Basketball Women's National Team pool. This selection meant she was under consideration for a spot on the team that would compete in the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics.
2010: Maya Moore Wins Second NCAA Championship
In 2010, Maya Moore led the UConn Huskies to their second straight NCAA championship, extending their undefeated streak to 78 games.
2010: National Championship and Accolades
In 2010, Maya Moore led her team to an undefeated season and a National Championship victory, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.
October 2011: WNBA Championship and Rookie of the Year
In October 2011, Maya Moore made history by becoming the second player in WNBA history to win both the Rookie of the Year award and a WNBA championship in the same year.
2011: Unprecedented Academic Honors
In 2011, Maya Moore achieved an unprecedented feat by becoming the first player to be named Cosida Academic All-America of the Year twice in a row. She also received the All-sports Academic All-America of the Year award.
2011: Drafted by Minnesota Lynx and Jordan Brand Signing
In 2011, Maya Moore's professional basketball journey began when she was chosen as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx. Adding to her list of firsts, she became the first female basketball player to sign with the Jordan Brand.
2011: WNBA Debut and Rookie of the Year
Maya Moore had an impressive start to her WNBA career in 2011, earning Rookie of the Year honors while helping the Lynx achieve the best record in the league.
2011: Maya Moore Drafted to WNBA and Wins Championship
Maya Moore was the first overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft, joining the Minnesota Lynx. She went on to win her first WNBA championship that same year.
2011: Best Record in the WNBA
The Lynx had an exceptional year in 2011, matching their 27-7 record from the previous season and securing the top seed in the WNBA playoffs.
April 1, 2012: EuroLeague Championship with Ros Casares
On April 1, 2012, Maya Moore helped lead Ros Casares Valencia to their first-ever EuroLeague Championship title. Moore's performance throughout the EuroLeague season was instrumental in their success.
2012: Olympic Gold Medalist
In 2012, Maya Moore was selected to the US Women's Olympic Basketball Team and won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in London. This achievement placed her in an elite group of female basketball players who have won NCAA titles, WNBA Championships, and Olympic gold medals.
2012: Half-Sister Ashley's Track Career
In 2012, Maya Moore's half-sister, Ashley Dabney, was a senior track and field athlete at Towson University.
2012: Invitation to USA Basketball Training Camp
In the fall of 2009, Maya Moore received an invitation to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp. As a junior in college, she was one of only three college players and the sole junior invited to participate. The training camp served as a selection process for the teams representing the US at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics.
2012: Selection for National Team Pool
Maya Moore was among the twenty players selected for the USA Basketball Women's National Team pool. This selection meant she was under consideration for a spot on the team that would compete in the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics.
2012: Maya Moore Wins Spanish League and EuroLeague Titles
Playing for Ros Casares Valencia in 2012, Maya Moore won both the Spanish league title and the EuroLeague title.
2012: Historic Start and Finals Appearance
The Minnesota Lynx, led by Maya Moore, started the 2012 season with an impressive 10-0 record, setting a new WNBA record. The team reached the WNBA finals for the second consecutive year but fell short of the championship.
2012: Dominating the WCBA with Shanxi Flame
In 2012, Maya Moore joined the Chinese basketball club Shanxi Flame in their inaugural season in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA). Her arrival marked a turning point for the team, leading them on an impressive winning streak. Moore's exceptional performance, including a remarkable 60-point game, propelled the Flame to their first WCBA championship title.
October 28, 2013: Pepsi Max Commercial
On October 28, 2013, Maya Moore became the first WNBA player featured in the Pepsi Max ad series, "Uncle Drew: Chapter 3," written and directed by Kyrie Irving.
2013: Maya Moore Wins Second WNBA Championship and Finals MVP
Maya Moore won her second WNBA championship with the Minnesota Lynx in 2013. She was also named the WNBA Finals MVP that year.
2013: League-Leading Scorer and WNBA Champion
Maya Moore continued to elevate her game in 2013, leading the WNBA in scoring and becoming the first player in league history to top the charts in both three-point field goals and three-point shooting percentage. She played a crucial role in guiding the Lynx to their second WNBA championship title, earning the Finals MVP award.
July 22, 2014: Career-High Scoring Performance
On July 22, 2014, Maya Moore delivered an unforgettable performance, scoring a career-high 48 points, the second-highest single-game total in WNBA history.
September 23, 2014: Selection for FIBA World Championship
On September 23, 2014, Maya Moore was officially selected to be part of the 12-player roster for the U.S. Women's FIBA World Championship.
October 2014: FIBA World Championship Victory and MVP
In October 2014, Maya Moore and the U.S. team won the gold medal at the FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey. This marked her third gold medal with the team. Moore's performance earned her a spot on the all-tournament team and the tournament MVP award.
2014: Maya Moore Wins WNBA MVP and Scoring Title
Maya Moore had a standout year in 2014, earning both the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award and the WNBA Scoring Title.
2014: Third WCBA Championship with Shanxi Flame
Shanxi Flame, led by Maya Moore, secured their third consecutive WCBA championship title in the 2014-2015 season. They triumphed over the Beijing team, led by Brittney Griner, in a thrilling finals series.
2015: WNBA All-Star MVP
In 2015, Maya Moore solidified her place among basketball's elite by winning the WNBA All-Star MVP award, making her one of only two players to achieve this feat alongside Lisa Leslie.
2015: Maya Moore Wins Third WNBA Championship
In 2015, Maya Moore won her third WNBA championship with the Minnesota Lynx.
2015: WNBA All-Star MVP and Championship Win
In 2015, Maya Moore's stellar performance in the WNBA All-Star Game earned her the MVP award after setting a new scoring record with 30 points. The Lynx, strengthened by the addition of Sylvia Fowles, secured the top spot in the Western Conference and went on to win their third WNBA championship in five years, defeating the Indiana Fever in a thrilling finals series.
2015: Forbes' 30 Under 30
Maya Moore was recognized as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30: The Sports World's Brightest Young Stars in 2015.
2015: Third WCBA Championship with Shanxi Flame
Shanxi Flame, led by Maya Moore, secured their third consecutive WCBA championship title in the 2014-2015 season. They triumphed over the Beijing team, led by Brittney Griner, in a thrilling finals series.
July 9, 2016: Early Advocate for Black Lives Matter
On July 9, 2016, Maya Moore, alongside Rebekkah Brunson, held a news conference wearing warm-up shirts advocating for Black Lives Matter. This early demonstration of athlete activism called for justice and accountability, referencing the deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, and acknowledging the Dallas police officers killed in the line of duty.
November 2016: UNICEF Kid Power Champion
In November 2016, Maya Moore joined the UNICEF Kid Power initiative as a champion, participating in a mission to Haiti that year.
2016: Second Olympic Gold Medal
Maya Moore participated in her second Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, where she and Team USA won the gold medal after defeating Spain in the final match.
2016: WNBA Top 20@20 and Playoff Run
In 2016, Maya Moore was named to the WNBA Top 20@20, a list celebrating the league's best 20 players in honor of its twentieth anniversary. She was the youngest player to receive this honor. The Lynx had a strong season, achieving a franchise-best 28-6 record. Moore played a crucial role in their playoff run, which culminated in their fifth WNBA Finals appearance in six years. Despite her record-breaking performance in the Finals, where she surpassed Diana Taurasi for most points scored in WNBA Finals history, the Lynx fell to the Los Angeles Sparks in a hard-fought five-game series.
2016: Maya Moore Wins Second Olympic Gold Medal
Maya Moore won her second Olympic gold medal in 2016.
August 12, 2017: Record-Breaking Victory and Championship Win
On August 12, 2017, Maya Moore and the Lynx achieved a historic victory against the Indiana Fever, winning by a record-breaking 69 points with a final score of 111-52. The game also featured a WNBA record 40-0 scoring run by the Lynx. This dominant performance contributed to their status as the number one seed for the playoffs. Moore and the Lynx went on to win their fourth WNBA championship, tying with the Houston Comets for the most titles in league history.
2017: Maya Moore Achieves 497-78 Win-Loss Record
By the end of the 2017 season, Maya Moore had amassed an impressive 497-78 win-loss record since high school.
2017: Sports Illustrated Names Maya Moore Performer of the Year
In 2017, Sports Illustrated named Maya Moore their inaugural Performer of the Year, calling her the "greatest winner in the history of women's basketball".
2017: Win with Justice Founded
Maya Moore founded Win with Justice in 2017, an organization advocating for prosecutorial reform in the American justice system.
2017: Maya Moore Wins Fourth WNBA Championship
Maya Moore secured her fourth WNBA championship with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017.
2017: Joining UMMC Ekaterinburg
On January 2, 2018, Russian basketball club UMMC Ekaterinburg announced Maya Moore's addition to their roster for the remainder of the 2017/2018 EuroLeague season.
January 2, 2018: Joining UMMC Ekaterinburg
On January 2, 2018, Russian basketball club UMMC Ekaterinburg announced Maya Moore's addition to their roster for the remainder of the 2017/2018 EuroLeague season.
July 22, 2018: Season-High Performance
Maya Moore delivered a season-high performance on July 22, 2018, scoring 38 points in a close game against the Phoenix Mercury, leading the Lynx to an 80-75 victory.
2018: Maya Moore Wins Second EuroLeague Title
In 2018, Maya Moore won her second EuroLeague title, this time playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg.
February 2019: Hiatus for Family and Ministry
In February 2019, Maya Moore announced her decision to step away from basketball for the upcoming WNBA season. She shared her intentions to prioritize her family and pursue her ministry work.
2019: Focus on Justice Reform
From 2019, Maya Moore shifted her focus towards advocating for reform in the American justice system. Her dedication to this cause led her to step away from her successful basketball career.
2019: Departure from Basketball for Social Justice
In 2019, Maya Moore stepped away from basketball to focus on social justice advocacy, particularly advocating for victims of injustice.
2019: Sabbatical from Basketball for Jonathan Irons
In 2019, Maya Moore began a sabbatical from basketball to focus on securing the release of Jonathan Irons, who was serving a 50-year sentence.
January 2020: Continued Hiatus and Advocacy
In January 2020, Maya Moore extended her break from basketball, announcing she would miss the upcoming WNBA season and the 2020 Olympic Games. Her decision was driven by her commitment to advocate for criminal justice reform.
July 1, 2020: Jonathan Irons Released
On July 1, 2020, Jonathan Irons was released from prison, thanks in part to the efforts of Maya Moore.
September 2020: Marriage to Jonathan Irons
Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons married in September 2020 after his release from prison.
2020: Maya Moore Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2020, Maya Moore was recognized for her impact on and off the court when she was included in Time's 100 Most Influential People.
July 2021: Release of "Breakaway" and Arthur Ashe Award
In July 2021, ESPN Films released "Breakaway," a documentary about Maya Moore's social justice advocacy, as part of their 30 for 30 series. That same year, Moore received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for her work on criminal justice reform.
July 5, 2022: Birth of Son
Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons welcomed their first child, Jonathan Irons Jr., on July 5, 2022.
January 16, 2023: Official Retirement from Basketball
On January 16, 2023, Maya Moore formally announced her retirement from professional basketball during an appearance on Good Morning America.
2023: Publication of "Love and Justice"
Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons co-authored "Love and Justice: A Story of Triumph on Two Different Courts," published in 2023.
2024: Maya Moore Selected for Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Maya Moore was selected for induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.