Charles, Tina (1988-…), is one of the top players in women’s basketball. Charles, a 6-foot 4-inch (193-centimeter) center, ranks as one of the leading rebounders in the history of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She has led high school, college, and international teams to championships.
Tina Alexandria Charles was born in the New York City borough of Queens on Dec. 5, 1988. Her father was from Trinidad and Tobago, and her mother was born in Jamaica. Charles led Christ the King High School to state championships in the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 seasons, and she was named the high school player of the year in 2006. She helped lead the University of Connecticut to undefeated seasons and national championships in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. In 2010, Charles was recognized as the Naismith College Player of the Year and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
The Connecticut Sun picked Charles with the first selection in the 2010 WNBA draft. She won the Rookie of the Year award for her play in her first season. She was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2012 season. She joined the New York Liberty in 2014. In 2016, Charles led the WNBA in both scoring and rebounding. She joined the Washington Mystics in 2020 but missed the season for medical reasons. She led the league in scoring again in 2021. She has been named to All-Star and All-WNBA squads in a number of seasons.
Charles has also played in professional leagues in Poland, Turkey, and China. She was a key member of United States teams that won gold medals at the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Summer Olympic Games.
