Tina Charles Passes Tina Thompson For Second On The WNBA's Scoring List
Atlanta Dream center Tina Charles passed WNBA Hall of Famer Tina Thompson (7,488 points) for second place on the league's all-time scoring list and now has 7,491 points over her 13-year career. Charles, who turns 36 on Dec. 5, now trailing Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (10,500 points).
Charles initially thought her WNBA career was over after she missed the league last season. He last played for Phoenix and the Seattle Storm in the 2022 season before signing a deal with the Dream in Feb. 1, 2024.
In Atlanta's 72-63 win over Phoenix on Wednesday night in College Park, Georgia, he recorded 12 points and 17 rebounds in 33 minutes of action. It was the third win for the Dream since the Olympic break.
WNBA All-Time Scoring List
| Level | A player | Points |
| 1. | Diana Taurasi | 10,500 |
| 2. | Tina Charles | 7,491 |
| 3. | Tina Thompson | 7,488 |
| 4. | Tamika Catchings | 7,380 |
| 5. | DeWanna Bonner | 7,327 |
| 6. | Candice Dupree | 6,895 |
| 7. | Cappie Pondexter | 6,811 |
| 8. | Sue Bird | 6,803 |
| 9. | Candace Parker | 6,574 |
| 10. | Katie Smith | 6,452 |
| 11. | Sylvia Fowles | 6,415 |
| 12. | Nneka Ogwumike | 6,320 |
| 13. | Lisa Leslie | 6,263 |
| 14. | Semone Augustus | 6,005 |
| Lauren Jackson | 6,005 | |
| 16. | Becky Hammon | 5,841 |
| 17. | Angel McCoughtry | 5,797 |
| 18. | DeLisha Milton-Jones | 5,571 |
| 19. | Katie Douglas | 5,560 |
| 20. | Lindsay Whalen | 5,523 |
| 21. | Brittney Griner | 5,382 |
| 22. | Jewell Lloyd | 5,375 |
| 23. | Brianna Stewart | 5,177 |
| 24. | Swin Cash | 5,119 |
| 25. | Tangela Smith | 5,046 |
“Just a bunch of gratitude,” Tina Charles said about moving up the WNBA's all-time scoring list. “Where I was last year, and where I am today. … I thought I was done playing last year. So being here now is very important. “
Taurasi, who was held to just three points Wednesday, has scored 10,500 points in 20 WNBA seasons. Both are former UConn stars who were on the USA Basketball team in three Olympics and played together briefly as WNBA teammates with the Mercury in 2022.
“To be in court with Diana, to be on the same sentence – it's unimaginable,” said Charles.
Tina Charles has 184 career double-doubles, second in WNBA history and 10 shy of Sylvia Fowles' record of 193.
Additionally, Charles has 184 career double-doubles, second in WNBA history and 10 shy of breaking Sylvia Fowles' retired center record of 193. Charles' 3,876 rebounds are also second to Fowles' record of 4,006.
Charles was selected No. 1 overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2010 draft. He was named league MVP in 2012 with Solezwe after averaging 18 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 33.2 minutes per game.
He reached these milestones despite not playing in 2020, citing a medical exemption during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2023. The 6-foot-4 Charles led the WNBA in points in 2016 (688), 2017 (671), and 2021 (631).
Tina Charles' career has been nothing short of legendary 🌟
Congratulations to the vet for being the W's No. 1 All-Time Leading Scorer. 2 last night! pic.twitter.com/EgRytSHU5b
– WNBA (@WNBA) August 22, 2024
When asked how to celebrate, Tina Charles blurted out, “I don't know.” Then Wright jumped in, adding: “You're definitely going to have a beer tonight.” He goes home and drinks beer, sits on his hammock and listens to Caribbean music. “
Charles agreed. “Yes, that's true,” he said. “But … I think when I'm really done [playing]you take another way. I'm just thankful to be in a great group of women.
“Seeing Allisha Grey's growth, being around Rhyne Howard, has had an impact on them. I think that's what's most important to me right now in my career.”
In 418 WNBA regular season games (410 starts), Charles averaged 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 31.9 minutes per contest while shooting 45.1% from the floor, 32.5% 3-point range, and 77.4% from the free throw line.
In other news, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese recently set a record for becoming the fastest WNBA player to reach 20 double-doubles. He is also releasing the “Reese's Pieces” clothing line after signing an endorsement deal with The Hershey Company.
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