Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, not once but twice. And LeBron James and Chris Paul are part of the group that’s headed to the Hall as well, even before their playing careers end.
Anthony and Howard were announced Saturday as members of the Class of 2025, as was the 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team that they played on — dubbed the “Redeem Team,” the one that captured gold at the Beijing Games and started a still-going run of five consecutive Olympic titles and counting for USA Basketball’s men’s program.
Also selected for enshrinement: WNBA greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Bulls coach and two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford.
Enshrinement weekend is Sept. 5-6 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
“When the call comes and in my case, I saw Springfield on the phone,” Anthony said on the televised announcement. “You know what time it is Springfield is on the phone. You know who it is. You get the phone call and you hear, ‘You’re in.’ And I think for me, it was a burden off of my shoulders.”
Donovan won back-to-back titles as a college coach with Florida. Arison oversaw Miami’s path to NBA titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013. Crawford worked NBA games for 32 seasons and was picked to work the NBA Finals in 23 of those years.
“For some, this is an individual honor,” Arison said. “But for me, this speaks to what our entire Heat family — players, coaches, staff and fans — have built together.”
The Redeem Team’s selection means that Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant — already enshrined as Hall of Famers — essentially now go in for a second time. James and Paul, who are obviously both locks to get into the Hall after they retire, also played for that Olympic team, as did Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Tayshaun Prince.
The Redeem Team had that moniker because it was the team tasked with restoring USA Basketball’s place atop the world stage, after the 2004 Olympic team only managed a bronze medal at the Athens Games. The Redeem Team went 8-0 in Beijing, winning those games by an average of 27.9 points.
“USA Basketball is thrilled to see the 2008 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. “The Redeem Team’s celebrated run in Beijing marks a pivotal moment in U.S. men’s Olympic basketball history and has propelled us to five straight gold medals.”
UConn’s women’s program already had coach Geno Auriemma, Swin Cash (enshrined as a player) and Rebecca Lobo (enshrined as a contributor) in the Hall of Fame, and Bird and Moore going in together will obviously add to what’s always a huge weekend in New England.
“They’re hall of famers for me, they’re hall of famers for their family, they’re hall of famers for everybody — they’re even hall of famers for UConn haters,” Auriemma said. “That’s one thing they can all agree on.”

bird-fowles-moore-2025-hof

Bird, Fowles, Moore Highlight Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025

<article class="_Article_15out_6">
<div class="_Article__story_15out_50">
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the franchise will retire the jersey number of Maya Moore on Aug. 24 when they host the Indiana Fever. Moore’s number 23 will be the fifth officially retired in franchise history, joining Lindsay Whalen (13, 2019), Rebekkah Brunson (32, 2022), Seimone Augustus (33, 2022) and Sylvia Fowles (34, 2023).
“We look forward to welcoming Maya back to Target Center to commemorate her prolific career,” said Minnesota Lynx Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve. “To stand with Maya as her number 23 jersey is hoisted into the Target Center rafters will be incredibly exciting.”
During her eight-year career, all in a Lynx jersey, Moore was named Rookie of the Year in 2011, was selected as the WNBA Most Valuable Player in 2014 and garnered six All-Star selections (earning All-Star MVP three times), All-WNBA First Team five times (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), All-WNBA Second Team twice (2012, 2018) and All-WNBA Defensive Second Team twice (2014, 2017). Her seven All-WNBA Team selections are the most by any player in Lynx history. Moore also won the June WNBA Cares Community Assist Award in 2018 for her efforts to inspire youth, support underserved children and improve criminal justice reform.
“I am so excited to be able to come back to connect, celebrate and remember so many of the special memories I was able to be a part of with this Lynx family,” said Moore. “I’m still so amazed at what we were able to accomplish as a group and even more amazed at how well we did it together!”
Drafted first overall by Minnesota in the 2011 WNBA Draft on April 11, Moore appeared in 271 games, totaling 4,984 points, 1,589 rebounds, 896 assists, 449 steals, 176 blocked shots and 31 double-doubles. She holds franchise-highs in both steals and three-point field goals (530). The Jefferson City, Mo., native also earned two Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016) and two FIBA World Cup gold medals (2010, 2014) with Team USA.
Moore appeared in 56 postseason games, averaging 19.2 points (on 46.6% shooting), 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.71 steals per game. She retired ranked third in the league all-time in the postseason with 96 steals, while her 1,077 points ranks fifth all-time. Moore was a part of all four Lynx WNBA Championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and was named the Finals MVP in 2013. Her 441 points make her the all-time leading scorer in WNBA Finals history.
In 2016, Moore was selected as part of the WNBA 20@20 which honored the 20 greatest and most influential players in the history of the league. The jersey retirement comes following the celebration of the Lynx All-25 Team last year in which Moore was highlighted as one of the top 25 players in franchise history. Following the 2018 season, she stepped away from basketball to pursue her criminal justice work through her non-profit, Win with Justice.
Moore’s jersey retirement is set to take place on Aug. 24. Moore will also be honored for her selection to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame on Aug. 23 as part of the celebratory weekend. More details around the ceremony and evening will be announced at a later date.
Packages beginning with five games up to full season memberships are available at <a href="https://lynx.wnba.com/tickets/">www.lynx.wnba.com/tickets/</a> or by calling 612-673-8400.
</div>
</article>

maya-moore-irons-jersey-retirement

Minnesota Lynx to Retire Jersey Number of Four-Time WNBA Champion Maya Moore Irons

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-179324" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/07/COVERIMAGE_SZNSUCESS.png" alt="" width="1440" height="510" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/07/COVERIMAGE_SZNSUCESS.png 1440w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/07/COVERIMAGE_SZNSUCESS-300x106.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/07/COVERIMAGE_SZNSUCESS-1024x363.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/07/COVERIMAGE_SZNSUCESS-768x272.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" />
NEW YORK, July 14, 2023 – The WNBA is on record pace for viewership, attendance, digital consumption, and merchandise as the league heads into the 2023 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Game in Las Vegas, which will be held at Michelob ULTRA Arena, on Saturday, July 15 and airing on ABC at 5:30 p.m. PT (8:30 p.m. ET). As the league enters the midway point of its 27th season, the memorable performance of WNBA players on the court has led to viewership growth across its national television partners – ABC, CBS, ESPN, and ESPN2 – and double-digit growth for attendance and digital consumption over last year.
Highlights from the season so far include:
<ul>
<li>ON-THE-COURT: WNBA players continue to deliver record performances on the court, which include:</li>
<li>An explosion of 40-point games by players featuring seven this season through Sunday, July 9, more than twice the previous high of three which was accomplished in three different seasons. (Breanna Stewart 45 and 43; Rhyne Howard 43; DeWanna Bonner, Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale 41 each, and Kelsey Plum 40).</li>
<li>Howard became the second youngest player (23 years, 64 days) in WNBA history to score 40 or more points in a game, trailing only Candace Parker (40 points on July 9, 2008, at 22 years, 81 days). In the process, Howard also became the youngest WNBA player to record 40 or more points and at least five made three-point shots in a game.</li>
<li>Aliyah Boston became the eighth rookie selected to start the All-Star Game and the first since 2014 (Chamique Holdsclaw, 1999; Sue Bird and Tamika Catchings, 2002; Maya Moore, 2011; Elena Delle Donne and Brittney Griner, 2013; and Shoni Schimmel, 2014). She also was named the league’s Rookie of the Month in May and June.</li>
<li>Breanna Stewart became the fastest player to eclipse 4,000 career points.</li>
<li>Diana Taurasi, already the only WNBA player to eclipse the 8,000-point and 9,000-point plateaus, is nearing 10,000 career points. Entering the All-Star break, she has 9,914 and needs 86 more to reach 10,000.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>VIEWERSHIP: Combined viewership for the WNBA across its national networks (ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2) is up 67 percent over last year, averaging 556,184 viewers. Currently this season is pacing to be the most-watched regular season across the league’s networks in over 20 years (2002). Additional viewership highlights for this season include:</li>
<li>The Dallas Wings vs. the Los Angeles Sparks game on ABC was the most viewed game this season, averaging 733,000 viewers, on Sunday, June 25.</li>
<li>The Phoenix Mercury vs. the New York Liberty game on CBS was the most viewed game on CBS, averaging 694,000 viewers, on Sunday, June 18.</li>
<li>The Las Vegas Aces vs. the Seattle Storm on ABC was the most viewed opening weekend game on any network since 2012 averaging 684,000 viewers on Saturday, May 20.</li>
<li>The Phoenix Mercury vs. the Los Angeles Sparks game was the most-watched regular season game on cable in 24 years and the most-viewed opening day on ESPN network in 11 years, averaging 683,000 viewers on ESPN, on Friday, May 19.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>ATTENDANCE: WNBA attendance is up 27 percent this season through the same number of games compared to last year with more than 787,000 fans attending 2023 regular season games this season. Currently, this season’s attendance is pacing to be the highest average attendance since 2018. Other highlights include:</li>
<li>The highest attended WNBA game this season marked the return of Britney Griner to Phoenix with 14,040 fans in attendance to see the Mercury take on the Chicago Sky on Sunday, May 21.</li>
<li>The Seattle Storm retired Sue Bird’s jersey in an emotional ceremony on Sunday, June 11, with 13,213 fans in attendance for its game against the Washington Mystics, marking the second highest attended game this season.</li>
<li>The first WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine, which saw the Chicago Sky defeat the Minnesota Lynx, 82-74, in a preseason game, was played before a sold-out crowd of approximately 20,000 fans at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Saturday, May 13.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>RECORD REVENUE: The WNBA has achieved double-digit growth for partnership revenue this year, which is at an all-time 27-year high, season to date.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>MERCHANDISE: The league has seen a surge in merchandise sales this season. Overall sales of WNBA merchandise at the NBA Store in New York are up 78 percent versus this season compared to the same time last year. In addition, sales of merchandise at Dick&#8217;s Sporting Goods are up 68 percent compared to the same time last season.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>WNBA APP: Since the WNBA launched the digital transformation of its app at the start of the season, WNBA App monthly active users have grown 147 percent over last year.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT: The WNBA is on a record pace for video views across all its social media platforms with 155 million video views halfway through the season, which is 84 percent of the total video views the league amassed for the entire 2022 regular season (186 million in 2022).</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>WNBA LEAGUE PASS: The league’s out-of-market live game package has experienced a 19 percent growth in subscriptions so far this season vs. the same point last year.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

wnba-mid-season-analytics

WNBA Heads Into AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star on Record Pace for Viewership, Attendance, and Digital Consumption

2023-free-agency-list

2023 Free Agency List

<figure class="wp-image size-full">
					<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/COVERIMAGE_MAYAMOORFE.png" alt="" class="wp-image- size-full" /> 
				</figure>
On Feb. 5, 2019, Maya Moore announced her decision to step away from the WNBA for the 2019 season in order to shift her focus toward her “family and ministry dreams.”
At just 29 years old, the four-time WNBA champion and perennial WNBA All-Star was walking away from the game in her absolute prime. Any conversation about the best women’s basketball players in the world had Maya Moore’s name mentioned in the first sentence.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Maya Moore&#039;s LEGENDARY Career 💐" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FsSVeSzg214?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
On Jan. 23, 2020, Moore announced that she would not return to the WNBA in 2020 as she continued to focus her time and effort on criminal justice reform, specifically in the case of Jonathan Irons, a family friend that they believed to be wrongfully imprisoned for the past two decades.
Moore’s advocacy in Irons’ case helped lead to his charges being vacated in March 2020 and his release from prison in July 2020. Two months later, Moore and Irons announced that they had married following his release. On Tuesday, the couple will release a memoir titled “Love &amp; Justice: A Story of Triumph on Two Different Courts” that recounts their unique love story.
On the eve of that book release – and on a day that we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his pursuit of justice and equality – Moore has announced her retirement from the WNBA, closing the book on one of the greatest basketball careers ever.
What Maya Moore accomplished in her eight WNBA seasons rivals what any player has accomplished in this league. Here are just a few of her many accolades:
<ul>
<li>4-time WNBA Champion (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)</li>
<li>WNBA Finals MVP (2013)</li>
<li>WNBA MVP (2014)</li>
<li>WNBA Rookie of the Year (2011)</li>
<li>6-time WNBA All-Star (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)</li>
<li>3-time WNBA All-Star Game MVP (2015, 2017, 2018)</li>
<li>7-time All-WNBA Selection (First Team: 2013, 2014. 2015, 2016, 2017; Second Team: 2012, 2018)</li>
<li>2-time All-Defensive Selection (Second Team: 2014, 2017)</li>
<li>Scoring champion (2014)</li>
<li>Steals leader (2018)</li>
<li>Member of Top 20@20 (2016) and W25 (2021) anniversary teams</li>
</ul>
And those are just her accomplishments in the WNBA. Don’t forget about her two Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016) and two World Championships (2010, 2014) with Team USA, her two NCAA Championships (2009, 2010) at Connecticut, her two EuroLeague Championships (2012 with Ros Casares Valencia, 2018 with UMMC Ekaterinburg), her three Chinese League titles with Shanxi Flame (2013, 2014, 2015) and one Spanish League title with Ros Casares Valencia (2012). 
There is no word that is more synonymous with Maya Moore than the word “champion.” Everywhere she has played, she has led her team to championships. It started in high school, where she led Collins Hill High School to a 125-3 record in her four seasons, with three Georgia state titles and one national title in 2007. It continued at UConn, where she led the Huskies to four Final Fours and two national titles, becoming the only three-time winner of the Wade Trophy, which honors the top women’s player in college basketball.
When it was time to enter the WNBA, Moore found the perfect home to continue her winning ways. In 2010, the Minnesota Lynx finished 13-21 and missed out on the final playoff spot in the Western Conference due to a tie-breaker with the Los Angeles Sparks. That meant the Lynx were headed to the Draft Lottery, where their fortunes would take a dramatic turn for the better.
The Lynx won the lottery and added Moore with the first overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft, adding the talented forward to a roster that included veterans Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, and Taj McWilliams-Franklin. This wasn’t a situation of a top draft pick joining a team in need of a savior; this was a situation that allowed Moore to step right in and play alongside All-Stars in pursuit of a deep playoff run.
Less than six months after hearing her name called first overall and holding up a Lynx jersey at the 2011 WNBA Draft, Moore helped lead the Lynx to their first-ever WNBA championship with a three-game sweep of the Atlanta Dream in the 2011 WNBA Finals.
Game 1 of that series gave us one of the top Maya Moore highlights, a shot that will be replayed when she is eventually inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – she drove across the lane and swooped under the basket for the difficult reverse layup that brought back <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjdEP7I2fRA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">memories of Dr. J</a> from the 1980 NBA Finals.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Phantom: Maya Moore&#039;s Amazing Reverse Layup" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VpMIO8FkA8Y?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This was just the beginning of a dynasty in Minnesota as the Lynx would make six WNBA Finals appearances and win four WNBA titles in a seven-year span from 2011 to 2017. Moore would be named Finals MVP in 2013 as the Lynx once again swept the Dream in three games with Moore averaging 20 points on 54% shooting and the Lynx outscoring the Dream by 66 points in her 93 minutes on the court in the series.
Two years later, Moore had the biggest clutch moment of her WNBA career in Game 3 of the 2015 WNBA Finals against Indiana. With the game tied at 77 with 1.7 seconds remaining, Whalen inbounded the ball to Moore just outside the 3-point line. With Fever defender Marissa Coleman charging toward her, Moore kept her cool and gave a quick ball fake and sidestepped around Coleman, and rose up for the shot, which left her fingertips as the buzzer sounded. She drained the shot to give the Lynx a 2-1 series lead, and Minnesota would go on to win the series in five games.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Maya Moore&#039;s Game 3 Buzzer-Beater From All-Angles!" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/We6Rj_aNEdA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
After suffering a heartbreaking loss in the winner-take-all Game 5 of the 2016 WNBA Finals to the Los Angeles Sparks, the Lynx would avenge that loss a year later in a rematch with the Sparks in the 2017 WNBA Finals. Once again, the series would go the full five games, and Moore delivered the knock-out blow late in the fourth quarter.
With Minnesota clinging to a 79-76 lead with 30 seconds to play, Moore drove toward the lane and pulled up at the free throw line with a running jump shot that swished the net with 26 seconds remaining and put the Lynx up by five points. She finished the game with a team-high 18 points to go with ten rebounds and her fourth WNBA championship in her first seven seasons.
A year later, the Lynx and Sparks would meet in the playoffs again – this time in the single-elimination first round – where Los Angeles would end Minnesota’s season with a 75-68 win that would end up being the final game of Maya Moore’s WNBA career. She finished that game with 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
At that time, no one expected that would be the last we’d see of Maya Moore in the WNBA. While her career was brief, she packed plenty of memorable moments into those eight seasons for WNBA fans to remember for years to come.
Of course, after her playing days were finished, she became a champion for social justice, as well as a wife, mother, and now an author. We wish the best for Maya and her family as she assumes the title of WNBA legend now that her playing days are officially complete.
Longtime WNBA reporter Brian Martin writes articles on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

the-magic-of-maya-moore-the-career-of-a-true-champion

The Magic of Maya Moore: The Career of a True Champion

<figure class="wp-image size-full">
					<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-top-banner.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image- size-full" /> 
				</figure>
A collection of sponsorship deals, endorsements, and announcements to reveal milestones that these players are achieving.
As players and fans settle into the off-season, there&#8217;s been a temporary pause in action-packed moments from games being shared online. The &#8220;quieter&#8221; coverage of the WNBA allows original, player-created content to shine, but their recent business-related moves are often overshadowed by sports-related coverage. Combining their growing popularity with diverse personal styles, players use an entrepreneurial approach when taking their public image beyond the realm of sports or innovating upon traditional athlete deals. 
While many players head overseas to play during their off-season, other players are inspired to think out of the box by learning new trades or hustling to negotiate brand deals. The last few years of the WNBA have revealed an increasing number of players who are joining prestigious sportswear &#8220;families,&#8221; and there are actually even more WNBA players with brand deals than fans would expect: a <a href="https://sponsorunited.com/women-sports-2022-report/">2022 study on female professional athletes</a> and collegiate NIL athletes found that 3,500 brands bought a total of 5,650 sponsorships in 14 different leagues. 
Navigating traditional sports-related deals, as well as contemporary fashion, beauty, and wellness brands, the rise of entrepreneurship helps players in reaching audiences outside of basketball. When stylish brands like Glossier and Savage x Fenty select players as their brand ambassadors, it confirms that WNBA stars are inspirational figures who can influence non-sports fans. While partnership deals across women’s sports have increased <a href="https://sponsorunited.com/women-sports-2022-report/">20% year-over-year across major U.S. sports</a> (LPGA, NWSL, WNBA, WTA), there&#8217;s a large opportunity for more non-sports brands to invest in female athletes. 
Presenting a summary of innovative deals and unconventional business announcements from WNBA players, this article is the first in a two-part series that explores athlete image. From major, multi-year contracts with leading sportswear brands to custom content in brand ambassador deals, the diverse expressions of these players reflect in their entrepreneurial journeys. Next week, check back for a second article that analyzes these deals through exclusive brand and player insights. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-166251 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
&nbsp;
Moolah Kicks Launches Two Stylish Players as Brand Ambassadors
Founded in 2020 by Boston College graduate Natalie White, and Moolah<a href="https://www.instagram.com/moolahkicks/"> Kicks</a> is the first basketball sneaker brand built exclusively for women. On October 20, 2022, they signed <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dh3nny/">Destanni Henderson</a> of the Indiana Fever as one of its first ambassadors for the new Neovolt Pro shoe. Recently, on November 22, 2022, Moolah Kicks also signed <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtneywilliams10/">Courtney Williams</a> of the Connecticut Sun; both players will hoop in the Neovolt Pro in the 2023 WNBA season. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166250" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-2-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Allisha Gray Embarks on a Restaurant Venture 
On September 28, 2022, Dallas Wings player <a href="https://www.instagram.com/graytness_15/">Allisha Gray</a> went on <a href="https://twitter.com/graytness_15/status/1573450229525155840">Twitter</a> to announce her exciting off-season purchase: a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wnbfactory_official/">WNB Factory</a> franchise in Milledgeville, GA. Although Gray isn&#8217;t from Milledgeville, she is an alumna of Washington County High School in nearby Sandersville. While sports fans frequently travel to athlete-owned restaurants, Gray joins a short list of WNBA restaurant owners that includes Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Deanna Nolan, Alana Beard, Marissa Coleman, and Angel McCoughtry.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166249" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-3-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Two Rising Star Players Named to Forbes 30 Under 30
Across the buzzy <a href="https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2022/sports">Forbes 30 Under 30</a> on Tuesday, Dallas Wings player <a href="https://www.instagram.com/arike_ogunbowale/">Arike Ogunbowale</a> and New York Liberty player <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabrina_i/">Sabrina Ionescu</a> were honored on its Sports List. Ogunbowale&#8217;s feature on Forbes mentions her work as a founding member of LeBron James’ ‘More Than a Vote’ initiative and as an investor in Just Women’s Sports. At 25 years old, Ogunbowale has also exhibited on-court excellence at Notre Dame and as a WNBA All-Star. Ionescu’s feature pays respects to her first All-Star recognition, as well as her work as an ambassador for Boardroom, Kevin Durant’s media company, and as a strategic partner with Durant’s Thirty-Five Ventures. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166252" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-4-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Chiney Ogwumike Co-launches the Women’s International Pickleball Association 
During the espnW Women + Sports Summit on November 2, 2022, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chiney/">Chiney Ogwumike</a> of the Los Angeles Sparks announced the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wipapickleball/">Women’s International Pickleball Association</a>. Alongside co-founders Rachel Hong, pickleball pro, and Allison Galer, Disrupt the Game president, Ogwumike spoke about empowering aspiring women athletes in the sport. The WIPA notes that it’s one of the fastest-growing games in the world, and with Ogwumike&#8217;s input, the group will create an ecosystem for serving success. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166253" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-5-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Sabrina Ionescu Returns to UO as Director of Athletic Culture
Taking on a part-time job for the off-season, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabrina_i/">Sabrina Ionescu</a> of the New York Liberty has been named as the Director of Athletic Culture at the University of Oregon. Working with the Oregon Ducks&#8217; women&#8217;s basketball coach Kelly Graves, Ionescu will aid with student-athlete development, as well as work as a resource for current and future students. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166254" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-6-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Kelsey Plum Joins the Under Armour Roster 
Announced on November 2, Las Vegas Aces player <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kelseyplum10/">Kelsey Plum</a> made waves on social media with news that she&#8217;s joining the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/underarmour/">Under Armour</a> roster of athletes. Sharing a passion for growing the game for the next generation of women in sports, Plum and Under Armour strive to achieve more than the standard brand partnership. While Plum previously signed a multi-year agreement with Nike in 2017, her stellar performance has made her a highly coveted player for any brand. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166247" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-7-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Han Xu Receives Official Co-Signs from Nike and Glossier 
This week, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hanxu_521/">Han Xu</a> of the New York Liberty announced that she&#8217;s a Nike athlete. As the first Chinese player drafted to the WNBA in 22 years, Han is in a unique position to increase WNBA&#8217;s fanbase in China. Shared on the <a href="https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/locked-on-womens-basketball-fiba-womens-world-cup-final-draws-record-eyes/">Locked on Women’s Basketball podcast</a>, the final game in the FIBA Women&#8217;s World Cup between USA and China was up 227% with an average of 446,000 viewers. Earlier in October, Han also made a rare Instagram post announcing that she&#8217;s also a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/glossier/">Glossier</a> partner. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166255" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-8-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Breanna Stewart Utilizes the Benefits of Therabody
Under a multiyear deal with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therabody/">Therabody</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/breannastewart30/">Breanna Stewart</a> of the Seattle Storm has shared work-out and recovery tips as an athlete ambassador. Apart from creating original content, Stewart previously invested in Therabody during the company’s funding round, joining investors like Kevin Durant and James Harden. While Stewart has used Therabody after her Achilles surgery, she&#8217;s also spoken out about its benefits during her periods and raised awareness for the impact of menstrual symptoms on female athletes.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166256" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-9-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
DiJonai Carrington Creates Content for Savage x Fenty Deal
Beginning in January of 2022, Connecticut Sun player <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dijonai__/">DiJonai Carrington</a> has maintained an endorsement deal with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/savagexfenty">Savage X Fenty</a>. Creating original content of herself in the brand&#8217;s garments, Carrington joins an elite rank of traditional style influencers who represent the energy of Rihanna’s lingerie brand. Carrington mentions her endorsement deal in a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/24/sports/basketball/wnba-style-fashion-marketing.html">New York Times article</a> on marketing in the W before revealing her game-day beauty routine. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-166263 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/Aari-1.png" alt="" width="2100" height="1500" />
Aari McDonald returns to Arizona as Director of Recruiting Operations
Atlanta Dream guard <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarimcdonald/?hl=en">Aari McDonald</a> will return to her alma mater and work with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/arizonawbasketball/?hl=en">Arizona</a>&#8216;s women&#8217;s basketball team as their Director of Recruiting Operations. Rather than venturing overseas, McDonald will be on-campus during the offseason. McDonald expressed her excitement about the opportunity to go back to Tuscon on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkUqxZ1gqz1/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=">Instagram</a>.
*This article highlights a select few players and does does not represent all players that have created marketing deals.
WNBA reporter Kirsten Chen writes a lifestyle &amp; fashion column on WNBA.com throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter through @hotgothwriter. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

the-w-in-designer-exploring-athlete-image-in-the-off-season-part-i

The W in Designer: Exploring Athlete Image in the Off-Season (Part I)

<figure class="wp-image size-full">
					<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/09/swoopes-cover-article.png" alt="" class="wp-image- size-full"/> 
				</figure>
With the 2021 regular season nearly over, most of the playoffs spots secured and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-continues-celebration-of-landmark-25th-season-names-greatest-players-in-league-history-the-w25/">The W25</a> team revealed, the big question of the moment &#8211; which will soon give way to title talk &#8211; is the question of “The GOAT”.
Who is the Greatest of All Time in the WNBA?
It’s a question that begs more questions. What makes a player the GOAT? Is it scoring? Championships? Longevity? All-around play? MVP Awards?
My answer: yes.
The WNBA’s GOAT conversation, in my mind, is one about a body of work. And let’s make no mistake, the players who occupy this short list, have incredible bodies of work. And the margins between them will be slim. And some bodies of work might be left out entirely.
But let’s start this conversation with a list of names, accolades, and the pros and cons arguments.
In alphabetical order:
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-146371 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/09/GettyImages-1337983567-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
Sue Bird
The Resume: The only player who played in the league with or against every player on the WNBA 25 list.
<ul>
<li>4 time WNBA Champion with Seattle.</li>
<li>12-time WNBA All-Star (league record).</li>
<li>5-time All-WNBA First-Team.</li>
<li>WNBA All-Time Assists Leader.</li>
</ul>
The Pros: In her 18th season, no one in league history has played at such a high level over a sustained period of time, and having played her entire career with one team &#8211; Seattle &#8211; Bird will go down as the league’s all-time most accomplished and respected floor general with a mix of steadiness and flair that is unmatched. The only player in league history to win a title in three different decades, Bird is a shoo-in Hall of Famer.
The Cons: Bird’s scoring numbers, a career average of 12.0, isn’t eye-popping compared to the other players in the conversation.
Is she the GOAT?: Bird will be known as the greatest point guard in league history and one of its most influential players. It’s hard to imagine a season starting without her. But just short of GOAT status.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-146370 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/09/GettyImages-154538486-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="682" />
Tamika Catchings
The resume:
<ul>
<li>WNBA All-Time leader in steals</li>
<li>WNBA Champion: 2011</li>
<li>Third All-Time leading scorer</li>
<li>5-time Defensive Player of the Year</li>
<li>10-time All-Star</li>
<li>Naismith Hall of Fame</li>
</ul>
The Pros: Catchings is the essence of across-the-board impact, the most well-rounded talent in this bunch when you consider that she ranks among the league’s top 10 in games, minutes, field goals, free throws, rebounds, assists, and points and that the Indiana Fever made the playoffs in each of her last 12 seasons in the league. When she retired, she ranked 1st all-time in career playoff scoring, and 1st all-time in career playoff rebounds. She will go down in history as perhaps the most tenacious defensive player in the game’s history.
The Cons: One championship in a 15-year career is the lowest on this short list even if it doesn’t diminish a Hall of Fame career.
Is she the GOAT? She is the most complete player on this list and her presence in the league is still missed. She has to be considered.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-146369 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/09/GettyImages-1063857784-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
Cynthia Cooper
The resume:
<ul>
<li>4-time WNBA Champion</li>
<li>3-time league scoring champion</li>
<li>Only 4-time Finals MVP in league history</li>
<li>Only Back-to-Back MVP in league history</li>
<li>Naismith Hall of Fame</li>
</ul>
The Pros: Cooper came to the WNBA a bit unknown to the majority of fans and five years later, she left a legend and a champion. She led Houston to four titles as their thrilling heart-and-soul player, she put together a 92-game double-figure scoring streak from 1997 to 2000 and when she retired in 2000, Cooper became the first player in WNBA history to score 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 2,500 career points.
The Cons: She came into the league at 34 years old and used her five years incredibly well to make her mark on WNBA history, but her shortened career limited her impact over a longer stretch. Additionally, Coop was never known as a lockdown defender. She was a scorer.
Is she the GOAT? Cooper was literally and figuratively a Comet in the WNBA. Longevity is the deciding factor here.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-146368 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/09/GettyImages-451153638-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
Lisa Leslie
The resume: 
<ul>
<li>2-time WNBA Champion</li>
<li>2-time WNBA Finals MVP</li>
<li>8-time WNBA All-Star</li>
<li>3-time WNBA MVP</li>
<li>2-time Defensive POY</li>
<li>Naismith Hall of Fame</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
The Pros: A pioneer in every way, Lisa Leslie set the standard for play in the WNBA that would model the way for players such as Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, and Elena Delle Donne. She was the league’s first dominant post player, and widely regarded as the best player in the world because of her versatility and toughness. Leslie was a nightmare of a matchup for players at both ends of the floor because of her length and athleticism. She ended her 12-year career as the league’s leading scorer and rebounder.
The Cons: Both Leslie’s scoring and rebounding records ended up in other hands in the years after her retirement and her two titles come up a bit short when compared to some of her compatriots with more championship rings.
Is she the GOAT? If you asked this question 10 years ago, the answer would have been a definite yes.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-146367 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/09/GettyImages-992389814-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
Maya Moore
The resume:
<ul>
<li>4-time WNBA Champion</li>
<li>6-time All-Star</li>
<li>3-time All-Star Game MVP</li>
<li>WNBA MVP: 2014</li>
</ul>
The Pros: A player who leads her team to four WNBA Championships in eight years as a pro has to be considered on this list. Moore’s career average of 18.4 points per game, matched with her big-game moments in Minnesota and her versatility and leadership comprises one of the greatest individual runs in league history.
The Cons: Moore’s decision to halt her career &#8211; albeit for noble, world-changing reasons &#8211; leaves a lot of ‘what-if’ wonderings about how much more she could have added to her basketball resume.
Is she the GOAT? She might have been. Without a return to the court to add to her legacy, Moore leaves us all wanting more.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-146366 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/09/GettyImages-1052837680-1024x818.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="818" />
Sheryl Swoopes
The resume:
<ul>
<li>4-time WNBA champion with Houston</li>
<li>3-time MVP</li>
<li>3-time Defensive POY</li>
<li>Naismith Hall of Fame</li>
<li>6-time All-Star</li>
</ul>
The Pros: Swoopes is one of the league’s founding players, the first women’s player to have her own shoe, and one of the most recognizable names in the history of the game. And she backed up all of that hype with an extraordinary WNBA career that included four titles with the Houston Comets in the league’s first four seasons. Swoopes twice won the league’s scoring title, averaging 15.0 points a game over her career, and was the first player to post a triple-double in both the regular season and the playoffs. Her multi-dimensional game &#8211; as both an offensive and defensive standout &#8211; elevates her GOAT candidacy.
The Cons: Swoopes played nine WNBA seasons and didn’t win another title after Cooper was out of the league.
Is she the GOAT? Swoopes moves on to the final list
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-146365 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2021/09/GettyImages-1337673031-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
Diana Taurasi
The resume:
<ul>
<li>WNBA All-Time Leading Scorer</li>
<li>3-time WNBA Champion</li>
<li>10-time All-Star</li>
<li>10-time All WNBA First Team (most in league history)</li>
<li>1-time WNBA MVP</li>
<li>2-time WNBA Finals MVP</li>
<li>5-time WNBA scoring champion</li>
</ul>
The Pros: Taurasi already has plenty of people’s GOAT vote heading into this competition as the league’s all-time leading scorer, a record she will hold by a wide margin by the time her career comes to an end. She leads the league in playoff scoring (in 61 postseason games), 3-point field goals, and is the only player in league history ​​with at least 8,000 career points, 1,500 rebounds, 1,500 assists, 1,000 3-pointers, and 300 blocks. And beyond all of Taurasi’s accolades, she brings a heavy load of intangibles, the toughness, the swagger, the innate ability to meet a big moment.
The Cons: It seems nearly impossible to process that Taurasi has only won the WNBA MVP once, and while her offensive accolades are never in question, she’s never been considered a standout defensive player. Her five Olympic gold medals and her international success make her a definitive front-runner for the sport’s greatest player ever, but does she have the best WNBA body of work?
Is she the GOAT? It’s pretty hard to argue that she’s not.
<h3>THE VERDICT</h3>
Final Three: Swoopes, Catchings, and Taurasi
My GOAT vote: Taurasi by a hair over Catchings because she is the league’s most feared and admired player to this day.
<hr />
Longtime WNBA reporter Michelle Smith writes a weekly column on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

inside-the-w-with-michelle-smith-whos-my-goat

Inside the W with Michelle Smith: Who's My GOAT?

<figure class="wp-image size-full">
					<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2020/07/Moore-1440-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image- size-full"/> 
				</figure>
See below for some reaction to the news that Maya Moore has helped overturn Jonathan Irons&#8217; conviction.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCHjLUcKfcF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCHjLUcKfcF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> 
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
</div>
</a>
<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCHjLUcKfcF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Maya Moore (@mooremaya)</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert congratulated Moore on Twitter.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Congratulations .<a href="https://twitter.com/MooreMaya?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MooreMaya</a>. The <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNBA</a> is immensely proud of your hard work and determination. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/winwithjustice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#winwithjustice</a> Cheering for you always&#8230;🏀👏👏👏🏀 <a href="https://t.co/zLcxseryyb">pic.twitter.com/zLcxseryyb</a>
&mdash; Cathy Engelbert (@CathyEngelbert) <a href="https://twitter.com/CathyEngelbert/status/1278516923639181318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Former and current players from around the league also showed their support.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
I am so very proud of the work Maya has put in outside of basketball. Always passionate, determined and focused on what needs to be done! Watch her work! Congrats to Maya and Jonathan!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/freeatlast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#freeatlast</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justice</a> <a href="https://t.co/EHffBVxtY9">https://t.co/EHffBVxtY9</a>
&mdash; Rebekkah Brunson (@twin1532) <a href="https://twitter.com/twin1532/status/1278497386629869569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Audience of 1 <a href="https://twitter.com/MooreMaya?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MooreMaya</a> continue to walk in your purpose! Tears of joy, Love ya 🙏🏾🖤✊🏾 <a href="https://t.co/O7yTqpygad">https://t.co/O7yTqpygad</a>
&mdash; Swin Cash (@SwinCash) <a href="https://twitter.com/SwinCash/status/1278490297752866816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Amazing ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/STp4hsLnik">https://t.co/STp4hsLnik</a>
&mdash; Sue Bird (@S10Bird) <a href="https://twitter.com/S10Bird/status/1278511062896259072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
This was so beautiful and intimate I almost felt uncomfortable watching. <a href="https://twitter.com/MooreMaya?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MooreMaya</a> you change a whole generation of families lives today! Living Legend 
PSA: I have some really dope friends <a href="https://t.co/2U2o2aN3Rm">https://t.co/2U2o2aN3Rm</a>
&mdash; Renee Montgomery (@ReneeMontgomery) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReneeMontgomery/status/1278535631048671232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

social-recap-maya-moore-helps-overturn-jonathan-irons-conviction

Social Recap: Maya Moore Helps Overturn Jonathan Irons' Conviction

<figure class="wp-image size-full">
					<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2020/05/Maya-Moore-Cover.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image- size-full"/> 
				</figure>
ESPN will air a combined show on June 21 with the Sports Humanitarian Awards and The 2020 ESPYS
The sixth annual <a href="https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2020/05/espn-announces-the-finalists-for-the-2020-sports-humanitarian-awards/">Sports Humanitarian Awards</a>, sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb, is a celebration of the impact made by athletes, teams and sports industry professionals who are using sports to make a difference in their communities and throughout the world. This year, the Sports Humanitarian Awards will combine with The 2020 ESPYS Presented by Capitol One for an inspirational evening that showcases the true power of sports. The show will air on June 21 on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET.
The Sports Humanitarian Awards will feature its honorees as part of The 2020 ESPYS including the recipients of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award presented by Dove Men+Care, the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award presented by Anthem Foundation, the League Humanitarian Leadership Award and the Sports Humanitarian Team Award. The Sports Humanitarian Awards will present five additional honors in ESPN studio shows the week leading up to the ESPYS.
“ESPN recognizes that this year more than ever, athletes, teams and leagues have been leading the way in responding to the needs of communities across the country and the world,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “For six years, ESPN has been honored to telecast the Sports Humanitarian Awards, which highlights the impact that sports has to create social change, and we’re excited to carry that narrative through the ESPYS and our other platforms.”
This year’s nominees include (see below for descriptions on each award and finalist):
<ul>
<li>Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award presented by Dove Men+Care finalists: Nelson Cruz (MLB’s Minnesota Twins), Kevin Love (NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers), Devin and Jason McCourty (NFL’s New England Patriots), Maya Moore (WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx) and Titus O’Neil (WWE Superstar)</li>
<li>Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year finalists: Denver Broncos (NFL), Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), New York City FC (MLS) and Sacramento Kings (NBA)</li>
<li>Corporate Community Impact Award finalists: Anthem Foundation, Burton Snowboards, Nike and the Peach Bowl</li>
</ul>
The Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award recipients will be announced the week of June 15, as will the recipient of a new honor, the Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award, which celebrates someone that is creating measurable social change through sports by using a comprehensive philanthropic funding strategy.
The Awards will once again benefit the <a href="https://www.jimmyv.org/research/stuart-scott-memorial-cancer-research-fund/">Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund</a> at the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Additionally, ESPN will donate more than $1 million in charitable contributions on behalf of the award nominees and honorees. To date, $9.8 million has been donated to the community on behalf of the Sports Humanitarian Awards.
Multiple sports leagues and/or governing bodies including MLB, MLS, NBA, WNBA, NFL, NHL, UFC, USTA and WWE are sponsors of the Sports Humanitarian Awards and have nominated athletes, teams and corporations who are transforming lives and uplifting communities.
The finalists and winners have been determined by an independent selection committee, which includes: Nick Keller, Founder and President of Beyond Sport; Donald Lassere, CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center; Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, Olympic Gold Medalist, CEO and Sports Strategist; Sab Singh, Founder of Sports Doing Good and Professor of Sport Management at Farmingdale State College; Caryl Stern, Executive Director of the Walton Family Foundation; and Eli Wolff, Director of the Power of Sport Lab.
Below are the award descriptions, as well as details about the nominees and honorees for the 2020 Sports Humanitarian Awards.
MUHAMMAD ALI SPORTS HUMANITARIAN AWARD presented by Dove Men+Care
The Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award is given to an athlete whose continuous, demonstrated leadership has created a measured positive impact on their community through sports. The candidate must embrace the core principles that Muhammad Ali embodied so well, including confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and respect. The winner will be able to direct a $100,000 grant from ESPN to the qualified charity related to the award-winning humanitarian efforts. The finalists will be able to direct a $25,000 grant to the charity related to their award-winning efforts.
All nominees will be featured in ESPN studio shows the week of June 15. The winner will be announced during The 2020 ESPYS on June 21.
Nelson Cruz, Minnesota Twins
Six-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz has completely transformed the safety and welfare of his hometown (Las Matas De Santa Cruz) in the Dominican Republic. Thanks to Cruz, the town has a fire engine and an ambulance to treat and transport people to the hospital, which is nearly one hour away. He built a new police station to replace the plywood shack structure and donated a motorcycle for the police officers, who previously had to walk. Annually, Cruz brings dentists and optometrists to his hometown’s local clinic to provide checkups, medicine and eyewear. His health event with volunteer doctors, and donated equipment and medicine, enabled more than 1,200 people to be evaluated and treated. He has purchased wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and canes for elderly and disabled residents. Cruz’s Boomstick23 Foundation also has laid the groundwork for a new education and technical center to help young people learn how to advance their employability by learning trades such as carpentry or electrical, and how to better use farmland to produce crops. Additionally, his Healing Venezuela initiative helps 2,000 Venezuelan newborns annually receive life-sustaining nourishment during their first year (a 400% increase since Cruz became involved).
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
After publicly sharing his own battle with anxiety and depression, Kevin Love has committed to normalizing the conversation around mental health. As soon as Love bravely used his voice, he inspired others to follow suit, sharing their own struggles as well. Teammates and fans responded with words of support and encouragement. He regularly engages with children who suffer from depression and anxiety and find encouragement in his story. Through the Kevin Love Fund (KLF), he’s developing an education curriculum designed to destigmatize challenges with mental health and to model the presence of emotion as an important dimension of the human experience, with a goal of reaching millions of students. The KLF also is endowing a Research Chair at UCLA that will empower eminent UCLA psychologists working to revolutionize treatments for anxiety and depression and give hope to millions of sufferers around the world.
Devin and Jason McCourty, New England Patriots
The McCourty twins feel strongly that too many kids with great potential get stuck with juvenile records at a very young age. In many cases, this marks the children for failure later on in life. Devin has been a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform at the Massachusetts State House. Thanks to his leadership, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill to increase the age at which children can be charged in juvenile court from 7-years old to 12-years old. When his brother Jason joined the Patriots, together they urged lawmakers to raise the age of adult court jurisdiction from 18 to 19, a move that the bill established a task force to study. They also are working together to address disparities in educational funding. Thanks to their leadership, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill that will invest $1.5 billion in the Massachusetts public education system over the next seven years, focusing primarily on underfunded schools with low-income students.
Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx
One of the most decorated basketball players in the history of the game, Maya Moore was the reigning WNBA All-Star Game MVP and four-time WNBA champion when she stepped away from the game in her prime to pursue finding justice for Jonathan Irons, who as a minor in 1993 had been sentenced to 50 years in prison for burglary and assault. Her story is one of selfless dedication, faith and pursuit of truth. She made the decision to use her platform to raise awareness for Iron’s case and the need to entirely re-imagine what “winning” means in our criminal justice system. She gave a voice to the voiceless by speaking at schools and the Congressional Black Caucus, joining The Marshall Project’s panel What’s The Story, and launching a nationwide petition through Change.org and her initiative, Win With Justice, that gained over 125,000 signatures. Moore’s goal was to gain freedom for Irons, and while Iron’s continues to persevere through a multi-layered appeals process, she recently achieved a huge milestone in that journey: his conviction was recently overturned by a Jefferson City judge, who claimed the initial convictions to be weak, circumstantial and marked with inconsistencies.
Titus O’Neil, WWE Superstar
WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil is an accomplished athlete, global entertainer and philanthropist. He grew up in poverty, labeled a “bad kid” who would be dead or in jail by the time he was 16. People invested in him when they had nothing to gain in return. As a result, he graduated from the University of Florida with academic and athletic accolades. O’Neil has made it his mission to create change for those in need. He supports thousands of individuals through various nonprofits including Susan G. Komen, Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of America and Special Olympics. Through his Bullard Family Foundation, in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools, he’s transforming Sligh Middle Magnet School and the surrounding area in Tampa, Fla. into an innovative education and community hub to create lasting generational change. This includes a first-class gym for school staff, a multi-million-dollar track and turf field for community health and wellness and a prosperity center offering support services to lift families out of poverty.

espn-announces-the-finalists-for-the-2020-sports-humanitarian-awards

Maya Moore Named Finalist for ESPN Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award

<figure class="wp-image size-full">
					<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2020/01/cheryl-maya-cover.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image- size-full"/> 
				</figure>
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – Minnesota Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve today issued the following statement regarding Maya Moore: 
“Over the last year we have been in frequent contact with Maya around the great work in criminal justice reform and ministry in which she is fully engaged. We are proud of the ways that Maya is advocating for justice and using her platform to impact social change.”

LatestMaya Moore