True Legacy: Tina Charles on Journey in Basketball, Time at UCONN, Legendary Career in the WNBA, Overcoming Adversity, Personal Growth, Hopey’s Heart Foundation, and More
- The Ballers Magazine
- Aug 7
- 10 min read
Two-time NCAA champion. No.1 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft. WNBA Rookie of the Year. WNBA MVP. Eight-time WNBA All-Star. Three-time Olympic gold medalist. All-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles in WNBA history. Incredible feats that give a glimpse to the greatness of Tina Charles; and ones that still fall short of truly capturing the remarkable impact she has had on the game of basketball both on and off the court. For Tina, it all started back in 1997 after attending a Miami Sol game. "I was able to see women that looked like me, and that's when I knew like: 'Oh wow, I would love to make this a profession. This is something I want to do.' My eyes were really wide," she highlights. This was it. This was the spark that ignited a fire within Tina to work relentlessly towards one day playing at the professional level. Sure enough, she did just that. From strengthening her skills on the court throughout her high school journey at Christ the King to elevating her basketball IQ further and developing her mental resilience during her collegiate career at UConn—where she also earned countless accolades including two NCAA National Championships as well as AP Player of the Year, John R. Wooden Award, Naismith College Player of the Year, and Big East
Player of the Year honors—, Tina remained committed to working day in and day out to turn her dreams to reality. She was on a mission. Before she knew it, the opportunity she had been working towards from a young age was here. With the No.1 pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft, the Connecticut Sun selected Tina. She had done it. She had achieved her childhood dream of playing in the WNBA. For Tina though, this was just the beginning. The beginning of a new chapter in her story that was rooted more than ever in her love for the
game and her unwavering
faith. The rest is history! Over the past 14 years, Tina has cemented herself as a legend in the sport. Her dedication, work ethic, leadership, and commitment to paying it forward have allowed her to foster a personal legacy that extends well beyond the game. As she ponders on it all—the records, the awards, the accomplishments, the highs and lows—, it is those moments of mentorship, community, and service that she finds the most rewarding. "That's just my goal: to be able to impact the younger players that are around me; and for me to know it's not what I do, but how I do it." Now that's...TRUE LEGACY!
Take us all the way back! When did you discover that you were passionate about the game of basketball and wanted to play the game at the highest level?
Back in ‘97, when the league first started and they had the Miami Sol, I was living in Florida at the time and my godmother took me to a game. I was able to see women that looked like me, and that's when I knew like: “Oh wow, I would love to make this a profession. This is something I want to do.” My eyes were really wide. This is when I was just falling in love with the game (as well). Then, my mother and I, we moved back to New York and I started seeing the New York Liberty play with Teresa Weatherspoon, Becky Hammon, Sue Wicks...I can go on with their roster (*laughs*). But, that's when everything started for me. You know, me really wanting to take it seriously and then really just be implemented into more organized basketball.
Love that! Fast-forward to your time in college, you had an incredible career at UConn. You won back-to-back championships your junior and senior year, you were a Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award winner, and you finished your career as UConn’s all-time scoring and rebounding leader. Take us through that journey! What was your time at UConn like?
My journey playing at UConn was such a blessing, you know? Coach Auriemma just really knows how to get the best out of his players. He knows how to tap into each and every player. For me, I really had to learn how to work hard. I really had to put in the time. I had to always be in the gym. Coach Auriemma, Christine Dailey, and Jamelle Elliott had a big impact on my game and what's been reflected out in my entire professional career. I have so many memories. Then playing alongside Maya Moore, she was really a role model for me on my approach to the game—not just physically, but also the mental aspect of the game. I think that that's where the confidence had started to come in. Once I started putting in the work in the gym outside of practice time, that's when I started to see the results and that's when I was really able to help our team achieve those heights that we did during my tenure at UConn.
How do you think your game elevated throughout your time in college to prepare you for the next level?
My game grew in how I was able to handle everything mentally and physically. Just being a believer in Christ, you know? I accepted Christ through Athletes in Action. My faith is everything for me. Athletes in Action was on our campus and Maya Moore was a part of it. I had another teammate, Kaili McLaren (as well). I went to the camp and I was really able to learn how to make Jesus my motivation for my sport, so just giving thanks to Him for the blessings that I have. Once I accepted Christ—that was in 2009—, every time I took the floor my junior and senior year that's when I started to turn the corner. I just kept saying to myself: “I'm playing for Him. I'm playing for an audience of one.” That was my motivation out there. That was the reason why I was going hard. That was the reason why my effort was what it was. That’s why I wanted to get in the gym because it was just my way of glorifying God when I was out there playing. That's when things started turning for me my last two years at UConn.
We have to talk about Draft Night! You were the No.1 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft and were drafted by the Connecticut Sun. What was that moment like of hearing your name being called and achieving that childhood dream of playing basketball at the highest level?
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