The Connecticut Sun's Tina Charles Named 2010 WNBA Rookie of the Year
Aug 30 2010 2:10PM
 Scott Cunningham/NBAE/Getty Images |
NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2010 � Connecticut Sun forward Tina Charles earned the 2010 Rookie of the Year award, the WNBA announced today. A national panel of 39 sportswriters and broadcasters unanimously awarded Charles the honor.
Charles, the No.1 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft presented by adidas, topped all rookies in points (15.5 ppg) and rebounds (11.7 rpg) � leading the league in the latter category � and ranked second in the league in blocks (1.68 bpg). In the process, she set a pair of WNBA single-season records: Charles� 398 total rebounds surpassed the mark of 363 set by Detroit�s Cheryl Ford in 2006, while her 22 double-doubles bettered the mark of 19 set by Utah�s Natalie Williams in 2000.
A product of the University of Connecticut and Christ the King High School in Queens, NY, Charles finished the season winning all four WNBA Rookie of the Month honors.
The 6-4 center posted her first double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a season- opening 74-61 win over the Chicago Sky on May 15. One of her best games came on July 7 in a 108-103 loss to
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In addition to setting significant WNBA records for a single season, Charles finished her rookie season by etching her name into the record books in numerous other areas as well. She established new single-season franchise marks for offensive (129) and defensive (269) rebounds; established the second-highest defensive rebound total in league history, behind Lisa Leslie�s 276 in 2004; and collected six straight double-doubles, one short of Lauren Jackson�s WNBA record of seven.
Charles averaged a double-double in every month but May (16.6 ppg and 9.6 rpg). In June, she averaged 15.5 points and 14.0 rebounds. Charles finished her rookie season averaging 16.2 points and 11.5 rebounds in August.
Charles, the all-time leading scorer and rebounder at the University of Connecticut, excelled on the court throughout her college career. As a senior, she earned All-America honors while leading the Huskies to their second consecutive NCAA championship and a record 78 straight wins. She was also the Big East Player of the Year as a senior and a three-time All-Big East First Team member.
In honor of being named the 2010 Rookie of the Year, Charles will receive $5,000 and a specially designed trophy by Tiffany & Co.
Below are the complete results of the 2010 Rookie of the Year voting, followed by a list of previous winners:
| 2010 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RESULTS | ||
| Votes | Player | Team |
| 39 | Tina Charles | Connecticut Sun |
A national panel of 39 sportswriters and broadcasters unanimously awarded Charles the honor.
| ROOKIE OF THE YEAR WINNERS | ||
| Year | Player | Team |
| 2010 | Tina Charles | Connecticut Sun |
| 2009 | Angel McCoughtry | Atlanta Dream |
| 2008 | Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks |
| 2007 | Armintie Price | Chicago Sky |
| 2006 | Seimone Augustus | Minnesota Lynx |
| 2005 | Temeka Johnson | Washington Mystics |
| 2004 | Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury |
| 2003 | Cheryl Ford | Detroit Shock |
| 2002 | Tamika Catchings | Indiana Fever |
| 2001 | Jackie Stiles | Portland Fire |
| 2000 | Betty Lennox | Minnesota Lynx |
| 1999 | Chamique Holdsclaw | Washington Mystics |
| 1998 | Tracy Reid | Charlotte Sting |
