Overview
- Charles, who announced her decision Tuesday on social media, leaves as the WNBA’s career leader in rebounds and field goals with 4,262 boards and 3,364 makes.
- The 2010 No. 1 pick won Rookie of the Year in 2010 and MVP in 2012, added two scoring titles and four rebounding crowns, and earned eight All-Star and nine All‑WNBA selections.
- She finished second on the league’s all-time scoring list with 8,396 points and, despite seven playoff trips, never reached the WNBA Finals.
- Off the court, she founded the Hopey’s Heart Foundation in 2013, helped donate more than 500 defibrillators to schools and community sites, and twice earned the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award.
- Her input in March’s WNBA–WNBPA labor deal secured a clause that directs retired‑player recognition payments to a beneficiary if a retiree has died, and tributes from the league and former teams followed her news two days before the season tip‑off.