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SPORTS Tuesday 17 January 2023
4-time WNBA champion Maya Moore officially retires at 33

By DOUG FEINBERG of Philando Castile in Min-
AP Basketball Writer nesota and Alton Sterling in
Maya Moore knew it was Louisiana.
time to officially end her “I hope people saw me as
basketball career — four someone who gave all she
years after stepping away. had,” Moore said Monday,
The Minnesota Lynx star left “but also somebody who
the WNBA in 2019 to help looked beyond the craft
her now-husband Jona- that I pursued.”
than Irons win his release The Lynx went 200-71 in the
from prison by getting his regular season and 40-16 in
50-year sentence over- the playoffs during Moore’s
turned in 2020. Irons mar- career as the star among
ried Moore soon after his re- stars in a core that featured
lease and the couple had Seimone Augustus, Lindsay
their first child, Jonathan Jr., Whalen, Rebekkah Brunson
in July. and eventually Sylvia
She announced her de- Fowles. She finished her ca-
cision to retire on ABC’s reer as the Lynx franchise
“Good Morning America.” Minnesota Lynx’s Maya Moore in action against the Seattle Storm in the first half of a WNBA leader in scoring average,
Before Monday, Moore basketball game, Sept. 10, 2013, in Seattle. 3-point field goals made
had been noncommittal Associated Press (530) and steals (449) and
about playing basketball a desire to want to switch Moore will be eligible for her greatest legacy will be finished second in total
again. that pace up,” she said, the Naismith Hall of Fame what she accomplished points scored (4,984), field
“Well, I think it’s time to put a later adding: “I wasn’t just next year since she stopped beyond the game,” WNBA goals made (1,782), assists
close to the pro basketball sitting around wishing I was playing four years ago, one Commissioner Cathy Engel- (896) and blocks (176).
life,” Moore said. “I walked playing again. I just felt of the rare athletes to leave bert said. “Maya Moore has forever
away four seasons ago but such a sense of purpose.” their sport in the prime of When Moore stepped left a mark on the state
wanted to officially retire. The 33-year-old Moore won their career. away from basketball, of Minnesota, the Minne-
This is such a sweet time for four WNBA championships She was drafted No. 1 by she started a social ac- sota Lynx franchise and
us and our family. The work with the Minnesota Lynx, the Lynx in 2011, winning tion campaign “ Win With the hearts of Lynx fans ev-
we’ve done, I want to con- two Olympic gold medals the Rookie of the Year Justice.” Moore and her erywhere,” Minnesota Tim-
tinue that in our next chap- with USA Basketball and award and going on to husband also have a book berwolves and Lynx owner
ter. Be home for my com- two NCAA titles with UCo- average 18.4 points, 5.9 re- coming out this week titled Glen Taylor said.
munity and family.” nn. bounds and 1.7 steals over “Love & Justice.” “Maya’s accolades are nu-
In a video call with report- “On behalf of the Minneso- eight seasons for Minne- During her career, she was merous; her leadership and
ers after the show, Moore ta Lynx organization, I want sota. She was the league’s at the forefront of the Lynx talent both fearless and
said she missed her team- to congratulate Maya on MVP in 2014 and the only becoming one of the first inspirational set the foun-
mates but was too focused an incredible basketball player in WNBA history with pro sports teams to fully dation for the most excit-
over the last four years on career,” Lynx coach and four 40-plus point games. embrace social activism, ing and historic champion-
her off-the-court priorities President of Basketball Op- “Her four WNBA champion- starting before a game on ship run in the league from
that transitioning back to erations Cheryl Reeve said. ships, six All-Star selections, July 9, 2016, when play- 2011-2017.
basketball was not on her “We will always cherish her an MVP award and a Finals ers wore black T-shirts that While today culminates
mind. time in a Lynx uniform and MVP trophy are indicative read, “Change Starts With Maya’s basketball career,
“Just trying to learn a new we wish her the best as she of the type of rare, genera- Us.” Their message was there is no doubt she will

rhythm outside of playing continues to pursue this tional talent Maya brought prompted by fatal police continue to impact the
I didn’t really wrestle with next chapter of her life.” to this league, but perhaps shootings earlier that week game we all love.” q

AP source: Panthers to interview Sean Payton for HC job

By STEVE REED sition. David Tepper to land giv-
AP Sports Writer The person spoke to The As- en the Panthers are in the
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — sociated Press on condition same division as the Saints
The Carolina Panthers have of anonymity because the and face them twice a
received permission from team does not release de- season. New Orleans would
the New Orleans Saints to tails of its coaching search- likely receive significant
interview Sean Payton for es. draft pick compensation
their vacant head coach- Steve Wilks was the Pan- before agreeing to allow
ing position, according to thers interim head coach Payton to join the Panthers.
a person familiar with the this season and Al Holcomb Payton won the NFC South
situation. the interim defensive coor- seven times with the Saints
The Panthers have also dinator. and the Super Bowl in the
requested permission to The 59-year-old Payton is 2009 season, amassing a
speak to Philadelphia Ea- expected to be a hot com- 152-89 record.
gles defensive consultant modity among NFL teams Fangio previously worked
Vic Fangio and New York searching for stability at the as the Panthers defensive
Jets safeties coach Mar- coaching position. coordinator more than two New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton walks on the field
quand Manuel for their He could be particularly decades ago from 1995 to before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in
New Orleans, Jan. 2, 2022.
defensive coordinator po- pricey for Panthers owner 1998.q Associated Press