The former UConn star made history twice in the regular season finale.
Tina Charles made history twice on Thursday night, becoming the WNBA’s all-time rebounds and double-doubles in the Atlanta Dream’s regular season finale. She surpassed Sylvia Fowles for both those marks.
“I can’t take this moment without mentioning Sylvia Fowles and what she’s meant to my career,” Charles said postgame. “The heights she reached, the great person she is, it’s pretty special, full circle for me.”
The former rookie of the year and MVP moved into first place on the rebounds list with three in the first quarter then got her record-setting double-double in the third quarter. She finished the night with 4,014 rebounds and 194 double-doubles.
What a night for @tinacharles31
WNBA All-Time Rebounds Leader
WNBA All-Time Double Double Leader #DoItForTheDream pic.twitter.com/sftYjFS2Ae— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) September 20, 2024
While taking a moment to look back on her career, Charles pointed to her time at UConn as a reason for her success.
“I just think of my freshman year at UConn and [Geno Auriemma] saying I had one more rebound than a dead person,” she said. “That’s the first thing that comes to mind. That’s how he is. Everything started at UConn and what they instilled in me.”
Charles can still continue to build on both records this season. With a 78-67 win on Thursday night, the Dream clinched a spot in the playoffs as the 8-seed. They’ll take on the No. 1 New York Liberty in a best-of-three series that begins on Sept. 22.