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June 4, 2020 By: Natasha Vukonich

10 of the most influential and badass women in sports: 4. Maya Moore

As we continue this list of badass, influential women in sports, I want to introduce you to a woman, who despite being one of the greatest players of all time in the WNBA, has always put activism before athletics. A woman who fights against the exact type of the never-ending injustices that currently fuels the millions of Black Lives Matter protests around the world.

She’s your new favorite political activist and the “greatest winner in the history of women’s basketball” according to Sports Illustrated.

Miss Maya Moore

Her high school career included three Georgia State Championships along with three 5A Player of the Year Awards, plus four National Championships with the Georgia Metros Basketball Club. Moore’s High school resume also features an array of athletic and academic awards including the High School National Gatorade player of the year.

High school record: 125-3.

Now that’s a pretty great career for any athlete, but just the tip of the iceberg for Maya Moore.

In 2007, Moore joined Geno Auriemma and the University of Connecticut, where she led the Huskies to back-to-back national championships in the ‘09, ‘10 seasons.

Moore became the first freshman male or female to be named the Big East Player of The Year and to receive the honor three times. Her time at UCONN also included, the USBWA National Freshman of year, becoming the first UCONN freshman to earn All-American honors, an ESPY for top female college athlete, two Naismith College Player of The Year awards, and three Wade trophies.

In Moore’s final collegiate season, UCONN continued on a 78-game winning streak, which ultimately led to the Huskies extending the streak to an NCAA (both-gender, all division) record of 90 consecutive victories.

College Record: 150-4.

How could it get any better? Well, she went on to be the first overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft going to the Minnesota Lynx, soon after signing an endorsement deal with the iconic Jordan brand, becoming the first woman to do so.

Of course, Moore was named Rookie of the Year and lead the Lynx to a WNBA championship in her first season. Unsurprisingly, she won another three title in 2013, 2015 and 2017. During this time, Moore was the WNBA Finals MVP in 2013, and the WNBA MVP and scoring leader in 2014.

Moore also has five All-Star selections and five All-WNBA First-Team Selections, while also racking up three WNBA All-Star Game MVP titles from 2015, 2017, and 2018.

Minnesota Lynx Record: 222-70

Talent like Moore’s can’t just be wasted on one league or team, so naturally she shared the wealth and brought home a gold medal for America from both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. In 2012, Moore also won the Spanish and Euro League titles, and held on to the Chinese League Champion title from 2013-2015, and then won the Euro League again in 2018.

Career Record: 497-78

Although Moore does not plan on retiring, her career record will remain the same for the second straight season as she sits out and continues to advocate for criminal justice reform and the release of Jonathon Irons.

Moore met Jonathan Irons (39) in 2007 during a ministry visit to the Jefferson City Correctional Center in Missouri where Irons is serving a 50-year sentence after what Moore believes to be a wrongful conviction.

Being African American and just a 16-year-old boy, Irons was tried as an adult in front of an all white jury. He was convicted of burglary and assaulting a homeowner with a gun, despite there being no physical evidence. The prosecutor noted an unrecorded admission of guilt by Irons to an officer during a private interrogation, which Irons steadfastly denies ever happened.

Since meeting Irons and hearing his story, Moore has worked tirelessly to appeal and ultimately overturn his conviction. Moore’s dedication to Irons’ case includes regular trips to Jefferson City, MO to attend courtroom hearings and confer with the defense team she helps pay for.

Moore has put in the time and effort to learn about the justice system and in becoming a genuine contributor to Irons’ case and criminal justice reform. Moore is now an elected prosecutor and the founder of “Win with Justice, ” a social action campaign aimed at changing the way we handle convictions by viewing cases as they pertain to the human rather than rattling off convictions like free throws. Moore’s steps to reaching this goal include focusing on treatment rather than incarceration for drug offenders and the mentally ill, fixing mandatory minimum sentences, and spreading awareness for why people are in jail.

Though there are plenty of injustices awaiting Maya Moore’s assistance, on March 9, 2020, Moore had her first courtroom victory when Cole County Judge Dan Green ordered Jonathan Irons 1997 conviction be overturned.

Following the ruling, Irons told the New York Times,“She saved my life. I would not have this chance if not for her and her wonderful family. She saved my life and I cannot say it better than that.”

Irons may be the first life that Moore saved, but I can guarantee it will not be the last. Hopefully basketball fans will have their star back next season and Moore can continue to add to her winning legacy but until then…

Criminal Justice Reform Record: 1-0

Now, I don’t know about you, but I think that Maya Moore has one of the most incredible athletic careers of anyone I’ve ever come across. And I know she has used that career to aid as many communities and people as possible, which can’t always be said for high-caliber pro athletes. Next up, one of the funniest women on ESPN, who has no problem calling out the misogynists of the world — especially her colleagues. Stay tuned for one of my all time favorites.