Two years ago, we thought that Tina Charles had played her last game in the WNBA. A two-time NCAA champion in Connecticut alongside Maya Moore (2009 and 2010), the center had not experienced the collective success of her former teammate in the WNBA. Because while she collected individual trophies there (Rookie of the Year 2010, MVP 2012, eight-time All-Star, four-time best rebounder, etc.), Tina Charles never played in the Finals.
For many, she is also the best player in the history of the league to never have reached the Finals…
A retreat after criticism
After her stints at the Connecticut Sun (2010-2013) and the New York Liberty (2014-2019), winning the WNBA title had become an obsession for Tina Charles, who joined the Washington Mystics in 2021, then the Phoenix Mercury in 2022, even leaving the team during the season to end up with the Seattle Storm.
Not enough to allow her to reach the Finals, since the Las Vegas Aces will eliminate her in the semi-finals (3-1). Enough to place Tina Charles at the center of criticism. Accused of accumulating statistics without making her teams win, of lacking leadership and of having disrupted Seattle's alchemy, she left the WNBA scene without speaking to the press, with the firm intention of never returning to the boards of the American league.
Tina Charles had therefore skipped the 2023 season and, at 35 years old, everyone was surprised to find her this season in the WNBA. Especially in a young team in reconstruction like the Atlanta Dream (7 wins – 12 losses).
More obsessed with the title
“I don't have as much pressure anymore in terms of the title quest” she now explains. “The role that Tanisha (Wright, the team’s coach) wanted me to play, as a veteran on this team, helping Rhyne Howard, was more exciting to me than what I was trying to achieve on previous teams. It was the impact I could have on others that interested me the most.”
Her return allows her to climb the hierarchy of scorers in WNBA history. Despite the defeat (85-82) against the Dallas Wings, Tina Charles thus became the third best scorer in the history of the league last night. With 7,383 points, she has thus surpassed Tamika Catchings (7,380) and she should even finish the season in second place, with Tina Thompson (7,488 points) not far behind.
With her 10,423 points, Diana Taurasi (still active at 42 years old…) is, on the other hand, untouchable.
Moving on up
A look at the bucket that moved Tina Charles into 3rd on the All-Time points list!#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/1P7ssAYswU
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 6, 2024
