Tina Charles has retired from basketball, concluding a remarkable career in the WNBA. She leaves behind a legacy as the league's all-time leading rebounder and second all-time leading scorer.
Key points
Tina Charles announced her retirement from basketball.
She is the WNBA's all-time leading rebounder.
Charles is the all-time leader in made field goals.
She ranks second in all-time scoring behind Diana Taurasi.
Her career spanned from 2010 to her final season with the Connecticut Sun.
Tina CharlesConnecticut Sun
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) reacts after his basket against the Washington Mystics in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) reacts after his basket against the Washington Mystics in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Tina Charles is officially walking away from basketball with one of the strongest resumes in WNBA history.
The former No. 1 overall pick announced her retirement on social media, ending a career that stretched from her arrival with the Connecticut Sun in 2010 to her final WNBA season back with the franchise that drafted her. Charles leaves the game as the WNBAâs all-time leading rebounder, all-time leader in made field goals and second all-time leading scorer behind Diana Taurasi.
The easiest way to explain Charlesâ career is simple: she may not have won a WNBA championship, but her individual case stacks up with almost anyone who has ever played in the league.
Why did Tina Charles retire?
Q&A
What are Tina Charles' career achievements in the WNBA?
Tina Charles is the WNBA's all-time leading rebounder, the all-time leader in made field goals, and the second all-time leading scorer.
When did Tina Charles announce her retirement from basketball?
Tina Charles announced her retirement on social media, marking the end of her career that began in 2010.
Which team did Tina Charles play for during her WNBA career?
Tina Charles played primarily for the Connecticut Sun, the franchise that drafted her as the No. 1 overall pick in 2010.
How does Tina Charles' scoring rank among WNBA players?
Tina Charles ranks as the second all-time leading scorer in WNBA history, just behind Diana Taurasi.
Related Articles
Golf·Feature
Rahm eligible for Ryder Cup after striking tour deal
Jon Rahm secures Ryder Cup eligibility with DP World Tour agreement.
BBC Sport··1 min read
Sports·Recap
IPL 2026: Will Lungi Ngidi play vs CSK today? Munaf Patel gives major fitness update
Lungi Ngidi confirmed fit for today's IPL 2026 clash against CSK!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Recap
Florida baseball moves up in latest national rankings. See where UF ranks
Florida baseball moves up to No. 20 in latest national rankings after series win.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL·Feature
Getting to know Bengals rookie Tacario 'Bobo' Davis
Discover Bengals rookie Tacario 'Bobo' Davis and his impressive wingspan.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Jim Furyk Ryder Cup appointment shows U.S. captaincy cupboard is bare
Jim Furyk's appointment as Ryder Cup captain raises concerns about U.S. golf leadership.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
Young Dolphins defensive lineman is changing his jersey number in 2026
Kenneth Grant of the Dolphins is switching back to No. 78 for the 2026 season.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles
David Butler II-Imagn Images
Charles did not leave because her game disappeared. In her final WNBA season with Connecticut, she still averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, giving the Sun a veteran frontcourt presence while bringing her career full circle.
Her retirement feels more like the natural close to a complete basketball journey. Charles had already been a WNBA MVP, Rookie of the Year, Olympic gold medalist, a UConn legend and one of the most consistent post players the league has ever seen.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert summed up that impact in a statement following Charlesâ announcement.
âTina Charles has defined excellence and consistency throughout one of the most remarkable careers in WNBA history. From earning unanimous Rookie of the Year honors to being named league MVP, to becoming the WNBAâs all-time leading rebounder and second all-time leading scorer, Tinaâs impact on the game will be felt for generations to come.
âBeyond her extraordinary accomplishments, Tina has represented the very best of the WNBA throughout her career. Through her leadership and dedication to giving back â including her work with her Hopeyâs Heart Foundation â she has made a meaningful impact far beyond the game, earning the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award twice. On behalf of the WNBA, I want to thank Tina for her lasting contributions to the league and the sport of basketball. Her legacy will be defined not only by her excellence on the court, but by the standard she set as a leader, a teammate, and a champion for the communities she touched.â
Tina Charles career stats and records
Charlesâ legacy starts with the numbers.
She retires with 8,396 career points, 4,262 rebounds and 3,364 made field goals. Those totals place her first in WNBA history in rebounds and field goals made, while ranking second all-time in scoring.
That combination shows why Charles was so difficult to handle at her peak. She was not just a rebounder or a low-post scorer. She was a complete offensive hub, a reliable double-double threat and a player who could carry a franchise-level workload across multiple teams and eras.
Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi
Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi
(Getty Images)
Tina Charlesâ career accolades
Charlesâ resume includes elite accomplishments in the WNBA, college, international basketball and community work.
No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun
2010 WNBA Rookie of the Year
2012 WNBA MVP
Eight-time WNBA All-Star
Five-time All-WNBA First Team selection
Four-time All-WNBA Second Team selection
WNBA All-Defensive First Team selection
Three-time WNBA All-Defensive Second Team selection
WNBA 25th Anniversary Team selection
Two-time WNBA scoring champion
Four-time WNBA rebounding champion
WNBA all-time leader in rebounds
WNBA all-time leader in field goals made
WNBA all-time leader in double-doubles
Second on the WNBAâs all-time scoring list
Three-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA
Three-time FIBA Womenâs Basketball World Cup gold medalist
2019 FIBA AmeriCup gold medalist
Two-time NCAA champion at UConn
2009 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
2010 Naismith College Player of the Year
2010 AP Player of the Year
2010 USBWA National Player of the Year
2010 Big East Player of the Year
Three-time AP All-American at UConn
Three-time First-Team All-Big East selection
UConnâs all-time leading rebounder
Two-time Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award winner
Let's just say Tina Charles put in work.
Tina Charlesâ lasting impression on the WNBA
Charlesâ career will always come with one obvious âwhat ifâ because she never won a WNBA championship. But that should not overshadow what she did accomplish.
She was one of the great interior players in league history, a dominant rebounder, an efficient scorer and a steady franchise centerpiece for much of her career. Her longevity also matters. Charles stayed productive long enough to climb to the top of several major all-time lists, which speaks to both her skill and her consistency.
Her impact also goes beyond the box score. Through Hopeyâs Heart Foundation, Charles used her platform to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and help place AEDs in communities across the country. That work became a major part of how the league celebrated her career.
Tina Charles was not just one of the best bigs of her era. She was one of the most accomplished players the WNBA has ever had, and she leaves behind records and a legacy that will be hard to match.
