On Wednesday morning, WNBA player Maya Moore announced live on “Good Morning America” that she will not be returning for the 2021 WNBA season. Moore last played in the WNBA during the 2018 season. She announced in February of 2019 that she was taking time away from basketball to focus on family and “ministry dreams that have been stirring in my heart for many years.”

Moore is a Four-time WNBA Champion and she was awarded the WNBA MVP Award in 2014. Maya Moore recently married Jonathan Irons just this past summer. Both of them will plan to continue advocating for criminal justice reform. 

Moore’s main focus from being away from the court now becomes her family and her passion for criminal justice reform. Moore was also the main catalyst that overturned the wrongful conviction of her now-husband, Jonathan Irons. Irons had served 23 years of a 50-year sentence, being convicted for burglary and assault charges from 1998. 

 “We just got married, so I’m still planning on taking some rest and really just leaning into this season of enjoying Jonathan and having this full year,” Moore announced on “Good Morning America.” Moore has also launched a social campaign titled: through Win With Justice. Together, both Moore and Irons will work to put together more social campaigns for criminal justice reform. 

Moore has played eight seasons for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She is a six-time All-Star and was the winner of the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2011. She also previously played college basketball at the University of Connecticut. 

Moore’s presence will be missed on the court, as she takes time away to focus on other things. They are fighting for something that should be fought for and it takes a lot of courage to step away from a game that you love. Moore could potentially return for the 2022 WNBA with currently being only 31 years of age.