Geno Auriemma has coached so many remarkable women’s basketball players in his 42 seasons at UConn that you would think he would have a tough time ranking them as players or judging their contributions to the program.

He never really has had difficulty expressing where Tina Charles, a member of two of UConn’s dozen national championship teams, stands among Huskies royalty.

And that was the case Tuesday when Charles, who starred at UConn from 2006-10, announced her retirement from the WNBA. Auriemma issued a statement praising the career of the 37-year-old Charles, who also played for him on two U.S. Olympic teams.

“I’d say since the 2009 season at Connecticut, Tina Charles has been one of the best basketball players in the world,” Auriemma said. “That’s a long, long time to be at the top of your game. Winning National Championships, Olympic gold medals, World Cup medals, she’s had a huge impact on every team she’s ever played on. I’m proud of her because it’s a Hall of Fame career and I look forward to seeing her at her Hall of Fame ceremonies.”

Auriemma is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as are former UConn stars Rebecca Lobo, Swin Cash, Sue Bird and Maya Moore. Diana Taurasi, who retired as the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history, certainly will be elected when she is eligible, followed by Charles.

Charles appeared in 152 games and played nearly 3,900 minutes for the Huskies. The New York native averaged 18,2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in her senior season, in which she was part of her second national championship team and named the Associated Press Player of the Year.

In 2010, Charles also won the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith Player of the Year and was named to multiple All-America teams.

She is the all-time leading rebounder in UConn history (1,367) and is fifth on the program scoring list (2,346 points).

In her lengthy retirement statement issued Tuesday, she mentioned UConn’s impact on her development.

“It would be impossible to name everyone who has poured into my life, but I want to say thank you.

“To my parents, Angella and Charlie, you are my foundation. Mom, you made me believe I could do anything. Dad, this game brought us closer, and I’m forever grateful.

“To the programs that shaped me, NY Gazelles, Liberty Belles, Christ the King, and UConn, this is where my discipline was sharpened, my standard was defined, and my purpose was strengthened.”

The Connecticut Sun selected Charles with the No 1 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft, and she has accomplished everything as a professional but win a league championship. Her WNBA resume includes:

Charles played for the Sun (2010-13, 2025), New York Liberty (2014-19), Washington Mystics (2021), Phoenix Mercury (2022), Seattle Storm (2022) and Atlanta Dream (2024).

She did not play in the league in the 2020 and ’23 seasons.

Charles retires with a professional scoring average of 17.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

She is first in WNBA history in offensive rebounds (1,191), defensive rebounds (3,071) and total rebounds. Her 8,396 points trail only Taurasi’s 10,646 in the league record book.

Charles also is tops in two-point field goals made with 3,167.

She won three U.S. Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016, 2020 teams). Auriemma was the head coach of the 2012 team that won in London and the 2016 Rio team.

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