Maya Moore has jersey number retired by Minnesota Lynx in emotional ceremony

The Minnesota Lynx paid tribute to retired star and four-time WNBA champion Maya Moore on Saturday in a ceremony that celebrated both her achievements of the past and her impact on the future.

The highlight of the event, which followed the Lynx’s 90-80 victory over the Indiana Fever in front of a record crowd, was the lifting of Moore’s No. 23 jersey to the Target Center rafters.

“My life is an example of what it looks like when we love a little girl well,” Moore 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.”

On hand for the celebration were several of Moore’s teammates from the 2017 WNBA title team, including Rebekkah Brunson, Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles and Seimone Augustus.

Following a video montage of her career highlights, the 2014 WNBA MVP was lauded with gifts ranging from a customized chest and a letter jacket to several pairs of gold shoes.

It was no coincidence that the retirement ceremony came after a game against Indiana. Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has repeatedly cited Moore as her favorite player of all time. And perhaps the highlight of Moore’s career came against the Fever in the 2015 WNBA Finals, when she hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“I kind of don’t want this night to end,” she said through tears. “Some of my favorite people in the world are here with me.”

Moore left the WNBA in 2018 at the peak of her career at age 29 to help overturn the burglary and assault convictions of then-inmate Jonathan Irons. He was eventually released from prison in 2020, and they were married a few days later.

Moore is continuing her advocacy work with a foundation she and Irons have founded, Win With Justice, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2022.

The two-time NCAA champion and player of the year at Connecticut – and two-time Olympic gold medalist – officially retired from basketball last year.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota Lynx retire Maya Moore’s No. 23 jersey in emotional ceremony