Tina Charles breaks records as Dream secure last playoff spot | sports

NEW YORK — Tina Charles stands alone atop the WNBA document ebook for profession rebounds and double-doubles.

Charles handed Sylvia Fowles for each league records on Thursday evening in a 78-67 win over the New York Liberty that clinched a postseason spot for the Atlanta Dream.

“I can't take this moment without mentioning Sylvia Fowles and what she's meant to my career,” Charles stated. “The heights she reached. The great person she is. It's pretty special, full circle for me.”

Charles wanted three rebounds coming into the sport and obtained them rapidly within the first quarter. She broke Fowles' rebound mark of 4,006 on an offensive faucet out that ultimately led to a basket 3:08 into the sport. Charles, who performed six seasons for New York, later broke a tie with Fowles for essentially the most profession double-doubles when she obtained her 194th early within the third quarter.

“It's special that she was able to do it here in front of her fans, friends,” Atlanta coach Tanisha Wright stated. “Tina had great years here. Even though it wasn't in Brooklyn, it was in the Garden — best place to play. … Befitting that she got to break that record here in front of friends and family.”

Charles completed the sport with 10 factors and 10 rebounds and now has 4,014 boards in her profession.

The 35-year-old star obtained her begin in Connecticut with the Sun earlier than being traded to New York earlier than the 2014 season. The Liberty honored Charles on the finish of the primary quarter with a video tribute. She waved and pointed to the group.

Charles mirrored again to her time enjoying at UConn below coach Geno Auriemma.

“I just think of my freshman year at UConn and [Coach] saying I had one more rebound than a dead person. That's the first thing that comes to mind. That's how he is,” Charles stated. “Everything started at UConn and what they instilled in me.”

She additionally performed in Washington, Phoenix and Seattle earlier than coming to Atlanta this 12 months after sitting out last season.

Charles has averaged 9.3 rebounds throughout her 14-year profession.

A New York native, Charles was honored earlier than the sport as she was inducted into town's Basketball Hall of Fame together with 9 different former gamers and coaches. Her Dream teammates had been on the court docket cheering her on as she was introduced. Charles stated she had about 40 family and friends in attendance on the sport.

“It was the perfect storm to see my high school coach here, former AAU teammates, high school teammates — like I said, perfect storm,” Charles stated. “I was taken aback, thankful my mom was able to be here right in my backyard. Special to be back in New York.”

Charles is the one WNBA participant with 7,000 factors and 4,000 rebounds in her profession. She's second on the profession scoring listing behind solely Diana Taurasi with 7,696.