Tina Charles visits UConn Huskies women’s basketball practice

Storrs, Connecticut — Given the wealth of UConn Huskies alumni who have become legends at the professional level, it’s hard to tell who would stop by a women’s basketball practice.

This week was the 2012 WNBA MVP and three-time Olympic gold medalist Tina Charles Who stopped by to practice with the team, even played one-on-one in advance Aaliyah Edwards.

UConn posted a video on Saturday showing Charles, who became a free agent after the 2022 season, seattle stormdefeated Edwards 4-2 in a casual game.

Tina Charles vs. Aaliyah Edwards pic.twitter.com/eblIULUEpO

— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) January 14, 2023

If junior Edwards is to learn from Charles, there is a storied legacy the former can try to emulate.

Charles (2006-10) is a two-time National Champion with the Huskies (2009, 2010) and won multiple Player of the Year honors in 2010. Connecticut SunThe 2010 No. 1 overall draft pick has since new york liberty, Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury and Storm.

During practices on Friday and Saturday, she gave guidance to current Huskies, especially post players, as needed.

Tina Charles made a special guest appearance on The Storrs👏 pic.twitter.com/4wtdAuAN2I

— espnW (@espnW) January 14, 2023

Charles may be over a decade away from his college days, but in some ways it seemed like time had passed.Junior Nika Muhl UConn associate head coach Chris Daley said he told Charles at some point on Friday to run. Lou Lopez Senechalthe transfer from Fairfield said Charles was not afraid to give feedback to his practice players.

Lopez Senechal said, “It’s really cool for us to have such a veteran here and in the league for so many years and just learning from her.

“You always think, yeah, they’re veterans, she’s been in the WNBA for 13 years, that’s a long time. You expect them to be very good,” Mule added. . “But when you look at how she plays on the court, how she reads the game, you can’t move her. She’s literally like a rock in the paint. It’s amazing. It’s so cool to see that experience. It’s great [the alumni] to come back. “