“Today marks an incredible moment in our team’s history as we welcome back one of the greatest players to ever grace the WNBA,” Sun general manager Morgan Tuck said today in a Connecticut Sun press release.
The Sun selected Charles No. 1 overall in the 2010 WNBA draft. She started in all 34 games as a rookie and recorded 22 double-doubles in one of the best rookie seasons in WNBA history.
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She also became the WNBA’s All-Time Rebounds Leader this past season, accumulating 4,014 career rebounds. Charles also ranks first in defensive rebounds (2,885) and double-doubles (194).
Charles is going to fill a void for the Sun after losing their entire starting lineup to trades and free agency as is a veteran leader.
She is coming off a 2024 WNBA season where she started in 39 games, averaging 14.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game for the Atlanta Dream. Charles has built a long list of accomplishments including Rookie of the Year (2010), WNBA Most Valuable Player (2012), All-Defensive Team (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017) and is a three-time Olympic gold medalist (2012, 2016, 2020).
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What does Charles bring to the team?
Charles will immensely help Connecticut crash the boards on both offense and defense. Her presence in the post will help to free up open guards on the perimeter, including guard Marina Mabrey, who is known for her killer three-point shooting.
As a veteran leader, she has a high IQ that will be able to benefit the team overall on and off the court. With her skills, knowledge and experience, Charles will be a key factor for any success the Sun have during a transitional season.
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“Tina not only helped define the success of this franchise during her early years, but she also set the bar for excellence, both on and off the court,” Tuck said in a statement “Her passion, leadership, and dedication to the game have left an incredible mark on our league, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her return to the team where it all began. This is a full-circle moment that strengthens our foundation and inspires the next generation of players and fans alike. We are extremely excited for this next chapter of Connecticut Sun history with Tina back in a Sun uniform.”
