WNBA all-time leading rebounder Tina Charles announced her retirement on Tuesday, marking a premature end to the 15-year veteran’s career.
Despite being the fifth-oldest player in the league in 2025, Charles, 37, put up impressive numbers while also showing durability by playing in 43 of a possible 44 games. The 2012 MVP averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in a career-low 28.4 minutes per game.
In a statement posted to social media, Charles wrote, “At some point, you have to edit your life. Not everything and not everyone is meant for the whole journey.
“Growth requires honesty, and for me, that meant recognizing when my impact was being called in a new direction. That’s not failure, that’s clarity.”