On Saturday, the Minnesota Lynx celebrated the remarkable career of retired player Maya Moore, a four-time WNBA champion, in a heartfelt ceremony that honored her past achievements and future contributions.

The most memorable moment of the evening, which followed the Lynx’s victory over the Indiana Fever by a score of 90-80 in front of a record audience, was the raising of Moore’s No. 23 jersey to the arena’s rafters.

“My life reflects what happens when we nurture a young girl with love,” Moore declared. “It’s impossible to experience that ceremony without love. So many individuals have influenced my life and shown me the essence of living. That is what I strive to share every day: life and joy. Because I have been blessed with both.”

Several of Moore’s teammates from the 2017 WNBA Championship team, including Rebekkah Brunson, Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles, and Seimone Augustus, attended the celebration.

After a video showcasing her career highlights, Moore received special gifts such as a customized chest, a letter jacket, and several pairs of gold shoes.

The timing of the retirement ceremony coincided with the game against Indiana, where Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has openly expressed her admiration for Moore as her ultimate favorite player. Notably, a peak moment of Moore’s career was a buzzer-beater 3-pointer against the Fever in the 2015 WNBA Finals.

“I really wish this night would never end,” she shared with tears in her eyes. “So many of my beloved people are here with me.”

Maya Moore made the decision to leave the WNBA in 2018 at the height of her career, at just 29 years old, to advocate for justice for Jonathan Irons, who had been wrongly convicted of burglary and assault. He was released from prison in 2020, and they married shortly afterward.

Moore remains engaged in her advocacy work through her foundation, Win With Justice, which she co-founded with Irons, and they welcomed their first child in 2022.

The two-time NCAA champion and National Player of the Year at Connecticut, as well as a two-time Olympic gold medalist, officially retired from basketball last year.