Maya Moore

There are different ways to lead throughout a practice or a year. Whatever that moment needs is something I've always tried to be ready to do.

I think that any time you get into an area where it requires humility, and accountability, it's gonna get touchy. And so I understand the reality of when someone says something that requires you to look at yourself and change, it's not easy.

I think our criminal justice system has two problems. We have systematic problems and we have people problems. So if the hearts of people are not about justice than any system you have won't work.

We are in a world where people are understanding that athletes and entertainers are citizens too. Some of us want to leverage our platform for good, and I want to be someone who is thoughtful and real about trying to influence people in a way that will lead to healthier communities and a better nation.

My coach at UConn, Geno Auriemma, taught me to take more risks, because in basketball, if you overthink things, the moment will pass you by. That's good advice for life off the court, too.

Even if you don't become a professional athlete, the experience of working with a team, knowing how to set goals, and working every day to figure out how to accomplish those goals definitely gives you confidence to apply those same characteristics to other life challenges.

You have to be able to bounce back and deal with disappointment, failure and weaknesses, and a lot of that happens behind the scenes for teams that are very successful.

I'm very hard on myself. I'm the first person that'll say, 'Yeah I messed up.' And then I'll try to go out and fix it.

My perception has changed from thinking if someone's in jail they're supposed to be, to there's a lot of factors that's not that simple.

You can have X's and O's, you can have talent, but if you don't have a vision, it won't work.

Opinions are very easily heard in our media and technology-type of world that we're in. I just try to stay focused on the people that I'm around every day that I work with, that I trust and value.

Coming onto the Jordan Brand absolutely gives more attention to women's basketball and basketball in general.

When I stepped away two springs ago, I just really wanted to shift my priorities to be able to be more available and present to show up for things that I felt were mattering more than being a professional athlete.

I don't pay attention to a lot of people - I pay attention to a select few, and that's worked out well for me.

When I think of the most valuable coach, I definitely think of a coach like Geno Auriemma, and the things I learned from him that stick out in my mind are his passion for the game, competing at all the little things and doing it at a high level.

I would say get to know somebody who isn't exactly like you and doesn't come from the same background as you, educate yourself and then just keep showing up. Finding ways to show up for people and your voice will come out of that relationship and out of your pursuit to seeing people who aren't exactly like you.

For centuries in this country, black people were seen as three-fifths of a person. So when you hear the national anthem or you see an American flag as an African American person who has experienced the effects of that dehumanizing existence, it's not going to mean the same.

There are so many - namely black and brown bodies - who have experienced a different America than what the mainstream American flag symbolizes.

It's tough, but you can still find joy in the struggle. Going through a season with a lot of struggles, I got a lot of practice. You have to set yourself up for joy, give yourself the best opportunity to have that going on inside.

What defines 'success' - answering that question - is so important when you're growing up as an athlete. Success for one kid is different than for another kid.

My mom showed me how important it is to surround yourself with opportunities and make the most of them.