Retired WNBA center Tina Charles joins UConn master's program and Liberty internship
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The gist
Retired WNBA center Tina Charles is returning to UConn for a master's degree and taking a Liberty internship.
Charles, the league's all-time rebounds leader, is building toward a front-office role.
Background
Tina Charles is a WNBA legend and newly retired center who played 15 seasons across six franchises, including six with the New York Liberty; she was the 2012 MVP, unanimous 2010 Rookie of the Year and an eight-time All-Star, and holds the league's career records for rebounds (4,262) and field goals made (3,364). She retired in May 2026, saying she had "fully released" what basketball could offer and had "things brewing off the court." The Liberty announced her return to her alma mater, UConn, for a master's in Sports Management alongside an intern role with the team.
How it unfolded
- May 2026Tina Charles announced her retirement from the WNBA after 15 seasons.
- Oct 20, 2026The New York Liberty announced Charles is returning to UConn for a master's degree in Sports Management and taking on an intern role with the Liberty.
- Oct 22, 2026ESPN released its ranking of the 30 greatest players in WNBA history, placing Charles at No. 19.
- Oct 24, 2026WNBA Showtime on NBC and Peacock, featuring Sue Bird, Cheryl Miller and Charles with host Maria Taylor, precedes Game 4 of the 2026 WNBA Finals.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Charles said she hopes the degree gives her a baseline for a WNBA front-office role, joking she wants Liberty CEO Keia Clarke's job when she "grows up."
- Analysts
- ESPN's Charlie Creme called Charles "a dominant force from the day she stepped onto a WNBA court" and "the epitome of reliability and productivity until her retirement in May."