“I’ve been able to live out something bigger than I ever imagined.” Those were Tina Charles’ exact words as she announced her retirement on Tuesday. In many ways, her career always felt destined for that sort of a scale, like the 2012 night when she walked off the floor after scoring, rebounding and anchoring the paint for the Connecticut Sun. The crowd understood that they had just witnessed dominance at its very core and that was proof of why she would soon be named the league’s MVP. And when you consider what that something actually became- all-time leading WNBA rebounder, second all-time scorer, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and a collection of individual honors that spans the entirety of her 14 seasons, it’s hard to argue with the description. 

Geno Auriemma, who coached her while in college described it as a “Hall of Fame career.” In the tribute he released following the retirement announcement, he said these exact words: “I’d say since the 2009 season at Connecticut, Tina Charles has been one of the best basketball players in the world. That’s a long, long time to be at the top of your game. Winning National Championships, Olympic gold medals, World Cup medals, she’s had a huge impact on every team she’s ever played on. I’m proud of her because it’s a Hall of Fame career and I look forward to seeing her at her Hall of Fame ceremonies.”

For Geno, Tina Charles was a top player from the very beginning. And what made her truly special was her ability to sustain that level for the entirety of her career. And of course, that assessment is not far from the truth. Charles anchored the UConn teams that won back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2009 and 2010 under Auriemma’s guidance. And over her final two collegiate seasons, the Huskies did not lose a single game. They went on to have a historic 78-game winning streak that remains one of the most staggering runs in college basketball history.

And when we say Tina Charles anchored these achievements at UConn, she really did. In all four of her collegiate seasons, she led the program in field goal percentage, rebounding, and blocked shots. In fcat, when she she eventually left, she was UConn’s all-time leader in both rebounds and points. She was also the second all-time in double-doubles, and one of only five players in program history to record over 300 career blocks.

That level of impact followed her straight into the WNBA and it was instant. Her rookie season was with the Connecticut Sun, who selected her with No. 1 pick in the draft. She won Rookie of the Year that season. She also set a then-WNBA single-season record with 398 rebounds. And just like Geno Auriemma said, she always left a mark whichever team she found herself moving forward with.

Most notably, with the New York Liberty, she became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. She also led them to three consecutive top-three finishes in the league standings. Her impact was also noticed with the Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm. And even in her final chapter, a second stint with the Connecticut Sun when she was in her late thirties, she was still leading the team in scoring, averaging 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while starting 42 of 44 available regular season games. 

So by all means, this was not a career that faded into irrelevance. It was a player at the top of her craft who simply felt the shift within herself. “It started to feel like work versus what it used to,” she said. So it’s safe to say that the game didn’t leave Tina Charles. Tina Charles chose to leave the game, on her own terms, with her legacy fully intact and her Hall of Fame induction certain to follow.

What’s Next for Tina Charles After Retirement?

“There are still dreams in my heart waiting to be lived, and I can’t wait to share that journey with you all.” These were the concluding words Tina Charles wrote in her retirement announcement. But while she hasn’t officially mapped out her journey after retirement, we can actually predict what that journey will look like considering what she’s already doing and what she’s said in various interviews.

For starters, Tina Charles is currently earning her master’s degree in sports management at UConn. That alone suggests she sees a future for herself within the business side of the sport. That may be in the front office of a WNBA or NBA franchise, or within a college athletic program. In fact, this past semester, she took on a role as a graduate assistant for UConn athletics’ chief operating officer.

Beyond sports administration, Tina Charles has also made clear that entrepreneurship is very much on her radar. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurship spirit, i’ve always had the mindset. This chapter allows me to grow more into it. I’ve never wanted to stay in one version of myself,” she told The Athletic.

Alongside that, she will also continue to pour energy into her Heart Foundation, which she established back in 2013. And amid all of it, she will finally have something that 14 seasons of professional basketball rarely afforded her, time. Time to slow down, and be present with family. 

But regardless, Tina Charles will definitely miss playing the game of basketball. As she said,” This game gave me everything, and I’ll miss it deeply.”