Moriah Jefferson

Image of Moriah Jefferson
Image of Player Moriah Jefferson

Player Information

Moriah Jefferson (born March 8, 1994) is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. She was drafted second overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2016 WNBA draft. Jefferson played point guard for UConn women's basketball team, where she won four consecutive national championships. She finished her UConn career ranked first in assists, second in steals, and as a two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award as the top point guard in the nation.
Birthdate:
8 March 1994
Full Name:
Moriah Jefferson
Birthplace:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Nationality:
United States
Gender:
Female
Height (cm):
168
Weight (kg):
59
Parents:
Lorenza Jefferson (Father), Robin Jefferson (Mother)
Education:
Texas Home Educators' Sports Association (High School), UConn (College)
Career Started:
2016
Notable Achievements:
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2016), 4× NCAA champion (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), WBCA Defensive Player of the Year (2016), Dawn Staley Award (2016), 2× Nancy Lieberman Award winner (2015, 2016), 2× All-American (2015, 2016), First-team All-American (2016), Second-team All-American (2015), AAC Defensive Player of the Year (2016), AAC Most Improved Player (2015), 3× First-team All-AAC (2014, 2015, 2016), Big East All-Freshman Team (2013), McDonald's All-American (2012)
Current Team:
Phoenix Mercury
Draft Year:
2016
Drafted By:
San Antonio Stars
Previous Teams:
San Antonio Stars / Las Vegas Aces (From 2016, To 2018), Galatasaray (From 2016, To 2017), Galatasaray (From 2018, To 2019), Dallas Wings (From 2019, To 2022), Minnesota Lynx (From 2022, To 2022), CB Avenida (From 2022, To 2023), Phoenix Mercury (From 2023, To 2024), Connecticut Sun (From 2024, To 2025), Chicago Sky (From 2025)
Player Active:
From - 2016, To - Present

Moriah Jefferson Bio

Moriah Jefferson (born March 8, 1994) is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. She was drafted second overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2016 WNBA draft. Jefferson played point guard for the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team, where she won four consecutive national championships. She finished her UConn career ranked first in assists, second in steals, and as a two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award as the top point guard in the nation.

Early Life and Background

Moriah Jefferson was born in Dallas, Texas, to parents Robin and Lorenza Jefferson. She has two brothers, Joshua and Jeremiah, and one sister, Danielle Noble. Jefferson played five varsity seasons with the Texas Home Educators Sports Association (THESA) Riders as a homeschooled athlete. She began playing with THESA’s varsity squad as an eighth grader, compiling impressive statistics throughout her high school career. By the time she graduated, she had helped lead her team to five National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships and finished her career with 3,354 points, 825 rebounds, and 728 steals. Jefferson was selected to the 2012 WBCA High School Coaches’ All-America Team and participated in the 2012 WBCA High School All-America Game, scoring four points.

Path to Basketball

Jefferson was recruited by numerous colleges, including Baylor, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M. Ultimately, she chose to attend the University of Connecticut, becoming the first recruit from Texas to play for the UConn women’s basketball team. During her time at UConn, she led the team to a remarkable 151–5 record, including four consecutive NCAA championships from 2013 to 2016. Her collegiate career was marked by numerous accolades, including being named the WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year and earning the Nancy Lieberman Award twice.

Moriah Jefferson Career

Early Career (2016-2018)

Moriah Jefferson was drafted second overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2016 WNBA draft. She immediately became a starter and made a significant impact during her rookie season, scoring a career-high 31 points in a game against the Indiana Fever. Jefferson was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team at the end of the season. However, her early career was marred by injuries, including a knee injury that caused her to miss 13 games in 2017 and a lengthy rehabilitation process that kept her out for most of the 2018 season.

Breakthrough (2019-2022)

After being traded to the Dallas Wings in 2019, Jefferson chose to sit out the season to continue her rehabilitation. She made her debut with the Wings in the 2020 season but suffered another season-ending injury. In May 2022, she joined the Minnesota Lynx, where she continued to work on her recovery and performance.

Notable Works and Milestones

Jefferson’s signature achievements include being a four-time NCAA champion and a member of the WNBA All-Rookie Team. Her career has been characterized by resilience in the face of injuries and a commitment to excellence on the court.

Moriah Jefferson Award Nominations

Throughout her career, Moriah Jefferson has received several nominations and accolades, including being named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2016 and earning multiple All-American honors during her collegiate career.

Moriah Jefferson Awards Won

Moriah Jefferson has achieved numerous awards, including the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2016, the WBCA Defensive Player of the Year, and the Nancy Lieberman Award, recognizing her as one of the top point guards in the nation.

Moriah Jefferson Family

Moriah Jefferson’s family includes her parents, Robin and Lorenza Jefferson, and her siblings, Joshua, Jeremiah, and Danielle. Her family has been supportive of her basketball career from a young age.

Personal Life

Details about Moriah Jefferson’s personal life are not extensively documented in public records. However, her commitment to basketball and her achievements on the court have been the primary focus of her public persona.