Tina Charles, the WNBA’s all-time leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, has announced her retirement after 14 seasons.
It was all a dream.. pic.twitter.com/YtComVxYYN
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— Tina Charles (@tinacharles31) May 5, 2026
“Today, I officially announce my retirement from basketball. Fifteen years at the professional level and a lifetime of love for this game,” Charles wrote on social media Tuesday. “I’ve experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows, and I’m thankful for all of it. Through it all, I learned how to show up. When doubt got loud and narratives were written about me, I kept showing up. That’s the New Yorker in me, where resilience is built, not talked about.”
Over her storied career, Charles became the W’s all-time leading rebounder with 4,262 boards while also scoring 8,396 career points. She trails only Diana Taurasi on the all-time scoring list.
Charles was drafted first overall by the Connecticut Sun in 2010 after a highly successful stint on the UConn Huskies. Following three strong years with the Sun, including an MVP in 2012, she was sent to the New York Liberty as part of a major trade.
She spent the next six years in New York before stints in Washington, Phoenix, Seattle and Atlanta. She ultimately returned to the Connecticut Sun last season.
In addition to an MVP, she also took home three Olympic gold medals with Team USA and three World Cup championships.
“This game gave me everything, and I’ll miss it deeply,” Charles said. “But my mom always taught me, don’t stop at what you’ve done, keep going toward what you still see. And I still see so much. There are still dreams in my heart waiting to be lived, and I can’t wait to share that journey with you all.”
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
