Tina Charles Bringing Buckets To USAWNT


As if leading the WNBA in scoring heading into the Olympic break wasn’t enough, New York Liberty star Tina Charles is now putting her skills on display for the United States Women’s National Team in the Olympic showcases.

Charles scored a game-high 17 points to lead the US team to a commanding 84-62 victory over France on Wednesday. She was one of four starters for the United States to score in double figures, and to lead the team in scoring on a roster as loaded as this one really says something about her game.

After the game, Charles credited her versatility as being a defining factor in her role for this US team.

“I’m one of those players who doesn’t always have to bang, I don’t always have to play with my back to the post,” Charles said of her scoring abilities. “I can face up and I can do different things.”

She also believes her ability to play multiple positions gives her team a unique advantage, and she’s willing to play anywhere in order to contribute for this team.

“In the past years, I was stuck at the five,” Charles explained. “This shows that Coach [Geno] Auriemma and the coaching staff trusts me in the position they have me in. Whatever the situation is, I know I’m going to have to do both [center and forward], and I’m all for whatever helps this team win.”

The leading scorer on the Women’s National Team will likely rotate because the roster is overflowing with offensive talent, but Charles has proven that she can take over a game and have the offense run through her on any given night. Whenever the team needs to get a key bucket and some stability, they can toss her the ball and she can make a move regardless of a double or triple-team.

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