When considering women’s basketball for the 2012 Olympics, you will know nothing if you don’t know Maya Moore. One of the biggest rising stars in women’s basketball, Moore garnered attention for her contributions to the UCONN Women’s Basketball team — a record 90-straight games during one stretch over two seasons and two national championships. She was one of three college athletes and the only junior selected to try out for the US Women’s team in 2009.

After finishing college, Moore was selected first overall in the 2011 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx and had a season that would make Michael Jordan proud. She became the second player in league history to win Rookie of the Year honors and a WNBA championship in the same year! Not one to slow down, Moore signed with Ros Casares Valencia of the Euroleague Women for the 2011–2012 season, but didn’t get start playing until the last 10 games because she was still competing for WNBA championship with the Lynxx. After joining Ros Casares Valencia, she helped the championship in her Euroleague rookie season.

The US Women’s Basketball has won the past four Olympics and six out of the past seven, so you can expect to be seeing plenty of Moore as she paves the way for exceptional Olympic season.

—MIJON ZULU

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