Tina Charles (basketball)'s Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Tina Charles (basketball). Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

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.

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.

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: 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: 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).

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.