NEW YORK – Minnesota Lynx guard Maya Moore has received the June WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm for inspiring youth, supporting underprivileged children and improving criminal justice reform.

Before Minnesota’s 2018 home opener, a poster of Moore debuted outside Target Center.  After a picture of 5-year-old Liliana Sikakane posing in front of the billboard went viral, Moore and the Lynx invited Liliana and her father, Justice, to their practice facility, where she received a surprise meet-and-greet from the five-time WNBA All-Star as well as a signed Moore poster.  Liliana and her family were also invited to Minnesota’s game on June 1, where they sat courtside for pregame warmups.

Also last month, the Lynx celebrated its 2017 WNBA championship in Washington, D.C., by giving back to the community.  On June 6, Minnesota partnered with the nonprofit Samaritan’s Feet to provide all 340 students at Payne Elementary School with new Jordan Brand shoes and Nike socks.  The Lynx also played basketball with students from the school, which serves homeless children and kids from low-income families.

Moore hosted her annual Maya Moore Academy in Minneapolis on June 17.  She awarded the Minnesota Lynx FastBreak Foundation with 20 scholarships, giving local underserved female youth an opportunity to attend her camp free of charge.

Additionally, Moore has a passion for criminal justice reform.  She has worked and researched in partnership with Athletes for Impact to launch the “Win With Justice” project, an interactive platform seeking to advance a fair and equitable criminal justice system.  Win With Justice is a social action campaign to educate the public on the critical role that prosecutors play in our criminal justice system.

“I’m honored to be a part of celebrating the great work that was able to be done between the community and the Lynx organization,” said Moore.  “I love having a chance to use the game of basketball to serve those around me and I’m also appreciative and excited about the funds that will be given to the Social Impact Fund to continue to give a voice to those who don’t have one.  I’m extremely grateful and happy to be able to celebrate all of this today.”

The WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm is awarded monthly during the season to the player who best reflects the WNBA’s passion to make a difference in the community.  In recognition of Moore’s efforts, the WNBA and State Farm will donate $5,000 to benefit the Social Impact Fund.

Please visit wnba.com/statefarmcommunityassist for more information on the award and its recipients.