Tina Charles #31 of the Connecticut Sun is introduced before the first half of a WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 1, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) dances in a team huddle before a WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Connecticut Sun on September 6, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
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UNCASVILLE — Tina Charles started and ended her WNBA career in Uncasville with the Connecticut Sun.
The former UConn women’s basketball star elevated the franchise on and off the court, thanks to her dominant skills in the frontcourt and her invaluable leadership. The impact of the former No. 1 draft pick is all over the franchise, including among its current young core.
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Charles announced her retirement from basketball on Tuesday after playing 14 years in the league, including five total with the Sun. While her basketball journey started in Queens, N.Y., it was in Connecticut where her career became Hall of Fame worthy.
Outside of leading the Huskies to back-to-back undefeated national championships, Charles brought the same level of success to the Sun. Connecticut drafted her No. 1 overall in 2010. That year, she was the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year. Two years later, she was the franchise’s first MVP. Last season, she returned to Uncasville and was the team’s most impactful leader.
“Even though last year was a tough year, like wins and losses-wise, I think we really got to celebrate her, and I think she got to get her flowers a little bit back in the place where it kind of got started for her pro career,” said Sun general manager and former Husky Morgan Tuck. “… I think it was great that we got to do that and really celebrate her in a way that I don’t think she was celebrated later in her career, but she definitely deserved it.”
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During her five years with the Sun, Charles helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2012, her MVP season, and took over the WNBA’s all-time career rebounding record with 4,262. She’s also No. 2 on the league’s all-time scoring list with 8,396.
Whether they played with her for just one season or followed her career for the last decade-plus, former and current Sun players remain in awe of Charles and have taken lifelong advice from the future Hall of Famer.
Connecticut Sun head coach Rachid Meziane, Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31), Connecticut Sun President Jen Rizzotti, and Connecticut Sun General Manager Morgan Tuck pose for a photo after Charles was awarded a game ball to commemorate scoring 8,000 career points before a WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Connecticut Sun on July 24, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“There’s only a handful of players that have been as successful as Tina has, and that’s hard to do, right?” said Tuck. “And the fact that she did it over 14,15, years, like that’s also hard to do. Most people don’t make it that long. So, I think anytime someone’s gonna think of Tina Charles, no matter where she played, whether that’s college, pro, overseas, Olympics, you’re gonna think of excellence, right? And I think that’s what her legacy is, that she was able to perform at such a high level for so long. We just don’t see that very often. I don’t know if people are gonna be able to attain what she achieved, but I think when people hear her name, they’re gonna think of a really, really high level.”
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Here’s what members of the Connecticut Sun had to say about Charles’ retirement:
Morgan Tuck: CT Sun GM, former UConn star
“At first, you just have to think about how great her career was, and the insane amount of appreciation that I think all of us have had, especially (as) someone that got to watch her play, growing up and going to UConn. I think that’s what solidified my interest in UConn, watching her and her group play. Just getting to kind of see all the accolades and the achievements that she had, like, there’s just not many people that can be in the conversation that Tina’s in with just how much success that she’s had, that she’s won on every level. She’s literally done everything that any basketball player could dream of doing. She’s gotten to do it. I think she retired at a time where it’s like watching her play, you didn’t think that she needed to retire. So, I’m glad that she got to go out on her own terms and be celebrated in a way that just shows she’s one of the best to ever touch a basketball. Which is insane to say.”
Rachid Meziane: CT Sun head coach
“I’m just proud of being part of her story. And I’m just thinking about all that she accomplished in her career. She is and she was and she will be one of the best players in this league.”
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Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) celebrates during a WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and the Connecticut Sun on August 13, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
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Aaliyah Edwards: CT Sun teammate, mentored by Charles at UConn
“When I first saw the news, it was kind of sad, you know, knowing that last season was my last season playing with her, playing against her and playing alongside of her. I mean, everyone said it, she’s a legend to our league. She’s a legend to women’s basketball, not only as a pro, but also what she did with her college career. I’m just grateful that I got to play alongside her during my pro career … Her just being a big sister to me; it just meant the world to me. She’s such a bright light, and she always made me laugh, always made me happy. But also on the court, she pushed me to challenge myself and pushed me to continue to be a great player and not settle for being average. So, shout out to Tina. I love you, Tina.”
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) is introduced in the starting lineup before a WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Connecticut Sun on September 6, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
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Olivia Nelson-Ododa: CT Sun teammate
“I don’t think any of us really expected (her retirement). Tina’s had a legendary career and has really paved the way for the W and just women’s sports in general. She had an amazing season last year here and was really impactful for our team. And I’m just really excited to see what the next chapter looks like.”
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Tina Charles #31 and Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun before the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Washington Mystics at Mohegan Sun Arena on August 21, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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Brittney Griner: Olympic teammate
“Tina’s a special person. Always competed hard. I mean, I can hear her yelling right now, doing that hookshot, and the ref giving that call. … She gave a lot to this game, and I know whatever she does after basketball, I know it’s gonna be good, and she’s gonna do it to the fullest, because that’s what she did with her career.”
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) dribbles the ball while guarded by Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) during a WNBA game between the Atlanta Dream and the Connecticut Sun on September 10, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
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Saniya Rivers: CT Sun teammate
“I was shocked (to see her retirement). She’s done a lot for this game. I know I’ve only been with her one time, one year, and she was my vet, so I’m very blessed to have been able to share a jersey with her. She’s spoken a lot of words of wisdom into me, a lot of motivation. So, I’m just blessed to have called her my teammate.”
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Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) is introduced in the starting lineup before a WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Connecticut Sun on September 6, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
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Aneesah Morrow: CT Sun teammate
“Knowing that she’s been in the league for a while, just being able to, not only just here (in CT), but be a very impactful player, being able to score efficiently and also defensively and getting rebounds. Her one thing for me was just to slow down and take my time. She always told me, like, ‘If you take one dribble or one drive, you could get past any opponent.’”