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Tina Charles’ Return Draws Clear Response From Connecticut Sun

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Liz Lindain | Last updated May 19, 2025 2:21 AM ET

Tina Charles is back, and the Connecticut Sun didn’t hold back their feelings. The MVP took the court once again in a Sun jersey for the first time since 2013 on Sunday against the Washington Mystics.

After playing for UConn from 2006 to 2010, Charles was the overall No. 1 pick in the 2010 WNBA draft, selected by the Sun. She played for three seasons with the Sun before moving to the New York Liberty from 2014 to 2019. Then, she played for the Mystics in 2021.

In February 2022, Charles signed with the Phoenix Mercury, in the hopes of winning a WNBA championship title, but the team struggled and wasn't in title contention through the first 18 games of the 2022 season. In June of that year, she ended her contract with the Mercury and signed with the Seattle Storm.

Due to personal reasons, Charles took a break from the WNBA during the 2023 season, but came back in 2024 to play for the Atlanta Dream. Then in 2025, the center went back to the Sun.

Connecticut opened its 2025 WNBA season with a narrow 90–85 loss to the Mystics at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday. Despite a strong performance from Charles, who posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds, the Sun couldn't hold off a late surge from the Mystics.

On Sunday afternoon, 55 minutes into the game, the Sun's official X account posted two candid pictures of Charles with the caption, "she's back like she never left."