History of Tina Charles (basketball) in Timeline

Tina Charles is a prominent American professional basketball player currently with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA. Drafted first overall in 2010, she achieved significant success early in her career, leading the Connecticut Huskies, alongside Maya Moore, to two undefeated national championships in 2009 and 2010. She has earned three Olympic gold medals playing for Team USA. In 2024, Charles was inducted into the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame, notably as the first woman to lead a class in any major basketball hall of fame and the first active player ever inducted.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

December 5, 1988: Tina Charles' Birth

On December 5, 1988, Tina Alexandria Charles was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York City.

July 2006: FIBA Americas Championship Gold Medal

In July 2006, Tina Charles won a gold medal with the USA Women's U18 team at the FIBA Americas Championship in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she helped defeat Canada in the championship game.

2006: High School Achievements

In 2006, Tina Charles led her Christ the King team to an undefeated season and a USA Today #1 ranking, earning WBCA All-American honors and participating in the WBCA High School All-America Game.

October 5, 2009: Selected for USA National Team

On October 5, 2009, Tina Charles was selected as one of the USA National Team members to travel to the 2009 Ekaterinburg International Invitational and contributed to the USA Basketball win at the Tournament.

2009: National Championship with UConn Huskies

In 2009, Tina Charles and Maya Moore led the Connecticut Huskies to an undefeated national championship.

2009: UConn Huskies National Title

In 2009, Tina Charles led the UConn Huskies to a national title as a junior and was named Final Four MOP.

2009: USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year

In 2009, Tina Charles was named the USA Basketball Female Athlete Of The Year, for her contributions to the Gold Medal earned at the 2009 USA Women's World University Games, the Gold Medal earned at the 2009 Ekaterinburg International Invitational, and the undefeated collegiate season leading to a National Championship.

2009: Gold Medal at World University Games

In 2009, Tina Charles won a gold medal at the World University Games held in Belgrade, Serbia, leading the team in scoring and rebounding.

2009: USA Basketball Training Camp Invitation

In the fall of 2009, Tina Charles was invited to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp, one of only three college players invited.

February 13, 2010: Recognized in the Huskies of Honor

On February 13, 2010, before the game vs. St. John's, Tina Charles became the 12th UConn Women's basketball player to be recognized in the Huskies of Honor and was the 2nd player to be honored while still a player.

March 1, 2010: Breaks UConn Records

On March 1, 2010, during a game against Notre Dame, Tina Charles broke two UConn records on the same night, becoming the all-time leading rebounder and leading scorer in UConn history.

October 2010: Named to USA Basketball Team

In October 2010, Tina Charles was named as one of the National team members to represent the USA Basketball team in the WNBA versus USA Basketball game, as part of the preparation for the FIBA World Championship for Women.

October 2010: Won the World Championship with Team USA

In October 2010, Tina Charles, as part of Team USA, won the World Championship held in the Czech Republic. Despite limited practice time, the team dominated the competition, ultimately securing the gold medal. Charles averaged 10.7 points per game and was the second leading rebounder with 4.8 per game.

2010: Champions Visit to White House

After the 2010 championship, Tina Charles made a comment, "President Barack Obama, we're back!" regarding the tradition of sports champions who visit the White House after their title game victories.

2010: Potential Selection for FIBA World Championship

In 2010, The team selected to play for the 2010 FIBA World Championship is usually chosen from the participants of the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp of 2009 where Tina Charles was invited.

2010: Internship at Bergin Correctional Institution

In 2010, Tina Charles spent six hours a week as an intern at Bergin Correctional Institution, helping prisoners adjust back to life in society.

2010: Drafted First Overall by Connecticut Sun

In 2010, Tina Charles was drafted first overall in the WNBA draft by the Connecticut Sun.

2010: Big East Conference Player of the Year

In 2010, Tina Charles was named the Big East Conference Player of the Year.

2010: WNBA Rookie of the Year

In 2010, Tina Charles was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year and set all-time league records for rebounds (398) and double-doubles (22).

2010: Drafted #1 Overall

In 2010, Tina Charles was the overall #1 pick in the WNBA draft, selected by the Connecticut Sun.

September 2, 2011: Triple-Double in Connecticut Sun history

On September 2, 2011, Tina Charles recorded a triple-double for the Connecticut Sun, but subsequent review by the league resulted in a change from ten to seven assists.

2011: Plays for Galatasaray

In 2011, during the off-season, Tina Charles played in Turkey for Galatasaray.

August 18, 2012: Reaches 1,000 Career Rebounds

On August 18, 2012, Tina Charles reached 1,000 career rebounds faster than any other WNBA player, achieving the milestone in her 89th game.

2012: Plays for Wisła Can-Pack Kraków

From 2012 to 2014, Tina Charles played two off-seasons in Poland for Wisła Can-Pack Kraków.

2012: Potential Selection for Olympics

In 2012, The team selected to play for the 2012 Olympics is usually chosen from the participants of the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp of 2009 where Tina Charles was invited.

2012: Won Olympic Gold Medal in London

In 2012, Tina Charles played for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in London, where the team won the gold medal by defeating France 86–50.

2012: Named WNBA MVP

In 2012, Tina Charles was named the MVP of the WNBA, leading the league in double-doubles and setting a record for the fastest player to reach 900, 1,000, and 1,100 rebounds.

2013: Donates Salary to Charity

Since 2013, Tina Charles has donated her full WNBA salary to her charity, Hopey's Heart Foundation.

2014: Plays for Wisła Can-Pack Kraków

From 2012 to 2014, Tina Charles played two off-seasons in Poland for Wisła Can-Pack Kraków.

2014: Traded to New York Liberty

In 2014, Tina Charles was traded to her native team, the New York Liberty, in exchange for Kelsey Bone and draft picks.

2015: Draft pick used by the Liberty

In 2015, The Liberty used the draft pick they received in the Tina Charles trade to select Elizabeth Williams.

2015: Plays for Fenerbahçe

In the 2014–15 off-season, Tina Charles played in Turkey once again for Fenerbahçe.

November 2016: Signs with Sichuan Whales

As of November 2016, Tina Charles had signed with the Sichuan Whales for the 2016–17 off-season.

2016: Best Season of Career

In 2016, Tina Charles had the best season of her career, averaging 21.5 points per game, leading the league in rebounds, and claiming the scoring title with the Liberty finishing 21-13.

2016: Won Second Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Tina Charles played for Team USA during the Summer Olympics, where they won their sixth gold medal by defeating Spain 101–72, earning Charles her second Olympic gold medal.

June 2, 2017: Career-High 36 Points

On June 2, 2017, Tina Charles scored a career-high 36 points in a 93–89 win over the Dallas Wings.

2017: Jonquel Jones breaks rebounds record

In 2017, Jonquel Jones broke Tina Charles' all-time league record for rebounds.

2017: Re-signs with Sichuan Whales

In 2017, Tina Charles had re-signed with the Sichuan Whales for the 2017–18 off-season.

2018: All-Star Game Appearance

In 2018, Tina Charles re-signed with the Liberty and was voted into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game for her sixth all-star game appearance. The Liberty missed the playoffs.

2018: Awarded the Mannie Jackson Basketball's Human Spirit Award

In 2018, Tina Charles was awarded the Mannie Jackson Basketball's Human Spirit Award for her work on education and heart health, stemming from her Hopey's Heart Foundation which distributes Automated External Defibrillators (AED) to schools and her funding of a school in Mali.

June 4, 2019: Liberty's All-Time Scoring Leader

On June 4, 2019, Tina Charles became the Liberty's all-time scoring leader after a late-fourth quarter layup in a 78–73 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. She finished the game with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

April 15, 2020: Traded to Washington Mystics

On April 15, 2020, Tina Charles was traded to the Washington Mystics.

July 17, 2020: Medically Excused from Season

On July 17, 2020, Tina Charles was medically excused for the shortened 2020 season due to her condition with extrinsic asthma.

2020: Directs Salary to Black Lives Matter

In 2020, Tina Charles announced she would direct that year's salary to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

February 4, 2022: Signs with Phoenix Mercury

On February 4, 2022, Tina Charles signed with the Phoenix Mercury.

June 25, 2022: Agrees to Buyout with Mercury

On June 25, 2022, Tina Charles and the Mercury agreed to a buyout from her contract.

June 28, 2022: Signs with Seattle Storm

On June 28, 2022, Tina Charles signed with the Seattle Storm.

2022: Leaves Mystics

After two seasons with the Mystics, Tina Charles and the Mystics did not re-sign with each other during the 2022 offseason.

2023: Not Signed to a Team

In 2023, Tina Charles was not signed to a team.

February 1, 2024: Signs with Atlanta Dream

On February 1, 2024, Tina Charles signed with the Atlanta Dream after not being signed to a team for the 2023 season.

August 21, 2024: Second All-Time Scorer in WNBA History

On August 21, 2024, Tina Charles became the second all-time scorer in WNBA history.

2024: Inducted into NYC Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2024, Tina Charles was inducted into the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame, the first female to head a class at any major basketball hall of fame and the first active player ever inducted.