The Connecticut Sun will officially retire the No. 31 jersey of WNBA legend Tina Charles on Tuesday, August 25. According to reports from Yahoo Sports and the Collinsville Press, the ceremony will take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena prior to the Sun’s matchup against the Chicago Sky, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The event marks a historic milestone for the franchise, honoring its former top draft pick and the WNBA’s all-time leading rebounder.
Charles, who announced her retirement prior to the start of the 2026 WNBA season, concluded a legendary career that came full circle in Connecticut. Selected No. 1 overall by the Sun in the 2010 WNBA Draft, she spent her first four professional seasons with the franchise before embarking on a journey across multiple teams, only to return for a final season in 2025.
A Historic Career and Franchise Impact
Over her extensive career, Charles established herself as one of the most dominant frontcourt players in women’s basketball history. In her five total seasons with the Connecticut Sun, she averaged an impressive 17.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game across 173 appearances. Her physical presence and elite rebounding capabilities earned her the WNBA Rookie of the Year award in 2010 and the WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) title in 2012.
Before her professional career, Charles was already a household name in Connecticut, having won two NCAA national championships with the UConn Huskies. Her transition to the professional ranks solidified her status as a franchise cornerstone. Throughout her WNBA career, Charles earned eight WNBA All-Star selections, nine All-WNBA honors, and was named to the WNBA 25th Anniversary Team, celebrating her long-term impact on the growth of the league.
A Full-Circle Journey
Following her initial four-year stint with the Sun, Charles played for several other WNBA franchises, including the New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, Seattle Storm, Phoenix Mercury, and Atlanta Dream. However, her return to Connecticut for the 2025 season allowed her to close her professional chapter where it began.
“To be named a Connecticut Sun Legend is something I honestly never imagined, and I’m just incredibly grateful,” Charles said in a statement. She described the upcoming jersey retirement as a full-circle moment, emphasizing the deep connection she maintains with the local community. “When I think about this honor, I think about the people who made it possible — my teammates, coaches, the front office, and especially the fans who embraced me from day one. Connecticut shaped both the player and the person I became.”
Joining the Rafters of Mohegan Sun Arena
With her No. 31 jersey being raised to the rafters, Charles joins an elite group of Connecticut Sun Legends. The franchise has previously honored several key players and staff from its Connecticut era, including Jonquel Jones (35), Alyssa Thomas (25), Jasmine Thomas (5), Taj McWilliams-Franklin (11), Margo Dydek (12), Nykesha Sales (42), Katie Douglas (23), Lindsay Whalen (13), Asjha Jones (15), and former head coach and general manager Curt Miller.
The ceremony has generated significant fan interest. According to ticket data from StubHub, ticket prices for the August 25 game against the Chicago Sky started at a highly accessible $4, with premium seating options reaching up to $1,085. Following the tribute, the Sun are scheduled to continue their 2026 campaign with a home game against the Valkyries on August 26, before heading on the road to face the Indiana Fever on August 28.