“Maaaya! Maaya! Maaya!” The Target Center in Minneapolis roared the name of one of the greatest players to ever represent the Lynx tonight as they raised the legend’s No. 23 jersey to the rafters. “Honored,” was how Maya Moore described the ceremony. But Michael Jordan‘s brand with Nike made it tenfold special. How? Here is the Jordan brand celebrating the epic run of the Minnesota GOAT.

According to many, Maya Moore’s deal with Jordan is a statement deal to date. Through this, she became the first WNBA player ever to sign with them. Tonight, the Jordan brand gifted her with gold sneakers commemorating each of her biggest achievements into physical memorabilia. From the Rookie of the Year (2011) to her 4 WNBA titles, all became a part of this gesture. The official Instagram account of the WNBA posted the same to honor the legendary career of this player. They wrote, “Jordan Brand gifting Maya Moore-Irons a piece of her legacy 💙 Career memories turned treasures, a touching tribute to greatness.”

Since her arrival in the league, Maya Moore has become an idol to Caitlin Clark and many. While she did break all the ceilings on the floor, she also ensured her impact reached people outside. In fact, this was the very reason why Michael Jordan chose her to be his brand’s first-ever WNBA player in 2011. Let us go through how Moore got her hands on one of the most epic deals.

Throwback to Maya Moore signing with Jordan

Maya Moore had a decorated NCAA career in UConn with back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. Then, she became the first overall pick in 2011. However, before even stepping into the WNBA, the Jordan family welcomed her in their house. When Michael Jordan signed her on a $3 million to $4 million per annum contract, he reported to ESPN, “I am thrilled to welcome Maya Moore into the Jordan Brand. Not only has Maya proven to be a prolific winner on the court, but her hunger and determination to make an impact off the court makes her a valuable addition to the Jordan family.” 

As much as the NBA GOAT was excited to see Moore elevate her status, she too was thrilled. She told a media outlet then, “As a student of the game, it is a dream come true to align myself with a brand that has a rich history in sports. Like most kids, I grew up idolizing Michael Jordan and continue to work relentlessly to reach his iconic status on the court. I’m truly motivated to take my career to the next level as a member of Team Jordan.”

While she never had a signature shoe with the brand, she had multiple collaborations. It included Air Jordan 11, XX3s, Air Jordan 10, Air Jordan XX8 PEs, and Air Jordan 1 PE. Although she did not play in the WNBA after 2018, Maya Moore did stay with the Jordan brand till 2023. Truly, a magnificent feat for a player who did not even enter the professional realm of basketball. No denying that the Jordan Brand too paid back their dues.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.