UConn’s Maya Moore inducted to Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

UConn women’s basketball legend Maya Moore is officially a Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer, the first of what will be many such honors for one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the sport.

When Moore stepped away from basketball in 2019 to help now-husband Jonathan Irons overturn a 22-year old wrongful conviction, there was no question that she would end up in the Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her induction comes sooner than anyone expected though after she made her retirement from the WNBA official in 2023.

“As the baby of the group, I’m just like my knees feel great,” the 34-year-old joked as she took the stage at Saturday’s induction ceremony. “My journey didn’t necessarily unfold the way I expected, but it’s leading me again to be the baby of the group and to join these legends. My fellow inductees, you guys know I’ve just loved being with you and it’s an honor to stand on your shoulders.”

In just seven seasons after being drafted No. 1 in 2011 by the Minnesota Lynx, Moore led the franchise to four WNBA championships and was an All-WNBA selection six times. She received MVP votes every year of her professional career, winning the award in 2014 after earning the 2013 Finals MVP. Her career average of 18.4 points per game still ranks top 10 in league history.

Moore’s college resume is just as impressive. She led UConn to back-to-back NCAA championships in 2009-10, and she was the Naismith Player of the Year in both 2009 and 2011. Moore still holds program records for career points per game, field goals made, and single-season points, and she remains the only Huskies player to score 3,000 career points. Moore was escorted at the Hall of Fame induction by her husband and coach Geno Auriemma.

“From Georgia to Connecticut I went in 2007 and became a part of some historic teams with Geno and CD (assistant coach Chris Dailey),” Moore said. “I really grew as a relational leader during my time at UConn, while also getting a masterclass in how preparation and chemistry are everything.”

Moore’s speech paid homage to honorees before her and the teams that surrounded her throughout her career. She shouted out Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Swin Cash, her predecessors at UConn that became teammates on the gold-medal winning squads for the 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2012 Olympics

“Asjha Jones was showing a wide-eyed college kid how to use a first-class seat for the first time. I mean, that was an experience. I had my camera out and everything,” Moore said with a laugh. “Thank you Sue, Diana, Swin, Tamika (Catchings), for being such great leaders that modeled for me what being a pro — and gold medalist — is all about.”

Two members of Moore’s team were inducted alongside her Saturday in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary class. Seimone Augustus, who played for the Lynx from 2006-19 and won all four championships with Moore, joined the Hall…