“I have worked exceptionally hard since I was a little girl to become a professional athlete. Part of that commitment has been to ensure my body is physically fit and ready to perform at the absolute highest level. Bazi and I have the same goal - to be the best. I am very proud that Bazi is now part of my team - the people and things that help me excel each day.”
Tina Charles
Tina Charles is the WNBA’s current leading rebounder and center for the Connecticut Sun. Her basketball career began in high school where she was named WBCA National Player of the Year, New York State’s “Miss Basketball,” McDonald’s All American, and ranked #1 in the country for USA Today in 2006. After high school she continued onto college at the University of Connecticut where she helped lead the Huskies to two national championships, undefeated. Her big break came when she was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun.
Tina is actively involved with many charities, two being “Give Runnings” and “Marathon of Miracle.” She is also on board with BAZI as an ambassador for the Heart for Africa organization.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Drafted: No. 1 in 2010 by the Connecticut Sun.
All-WNBA second team: 2010
WNBA Rookie of the Year: 2010
WNBA All-Rookie Team: 2010
Currnetly competing for Nadezhda in Orenburg, Russia, for the 2010-11 EuroLeague campaign.
The unanimous choice of a panel of 39 media members for the 2010 Rookie of the Year award; led all rookies with 15.5 ppg. and
led the league with 11.7 rpg.
Established a new WNBA single-season record for rebounds with 398, eclipsing Cheryl Ford’s 363 in 2006; also had a league-record
22 double-doubles (19, Natalie Williams in 2000).
Started for the USA National Team as it won a Gold Medal in the World Championships 2010
Stats
Position: Center
Height: 6'4" / 193 cms.
Weight: 198 lbs. / 90 kgs.
WNBA Team: Connecticut Sun
School: Connecticut, 2010
Hometown: Jamaica, N.Y.
More interesting Facts
Born on Dec. 5, 1988, in Flushing, N.Y.
Post-basketball career ambitions include becoming a forensic psychologist.
If she could be a standout athlete in any sport, it would be golf.
Wanted to be a police officer at age five and a veterinarian at 15.
Named the 2006 National High School Player of the Year by USA Today, McDonald's, Parade Magazine, Gatorade and SI.com.
Compiled 1,750 ppg., 1,224 rpg., 440 apg. and 432 bpg. in three varsity seasons at Christ the King High School (N.Y.)
Led her team to a pair of USA Today No. 1 final national rankings and state titles in 2005 and 2006 to go with a two-year 57-0 record.