Former WNBA MVP Tina Charles has signed a rest-of-season contract with the Seattle Storm, the team announced Tuesday. The Storm did not reveal the terms of the contract.
Charles will be available for the Storm’s game Wednesday game against the league-leading Las Vegas Aces.
“We are excited to add one of the premier players in our league to our roster,” Storm coach Noelle Quinn said in a statement. “Tina is a prolific scorer who brings veteran experience and adds depth to our front court. We look forward to seeing the immediate impact she can make for our team.”
☝️ 2010 No. 1 overall draft pick
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) June 28, 2022
💪 2012 WNBA MVP
🌟 8x All-Star
🏅 3x Olympic Gold Medalist
🤩 5x All-WNBA First Team
Welcome to Seattle, @tinacharles31!
📰 https://t.co/PVwQ7iQoGx#TakeCover pic.twitter.com/ZqOlZQoujR
The star center mutually parted ways with the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday in what the Mercury described as a “contract divorce.” She signed a one-year contract with Phoenix in February and averaged 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 16 appearances with the team.
Multiple reports linked Charles to the Storm over the weekend. The Ball Out was the first to report the news of the center’s intended new destination. Rachel Galligan broke the news of the signing Tuesday for Winsidr.
The eight-time WNBA All-Star spent the 2021 season with the Washington Mystics and led the WNBA with 23.4 points per game. The No. 1 draft pick in 2010, she won her MVP award with the Connecticut Sun in 2012. She played with the New York Liberty from 2014-19 but didn’t play the 2020 COVID-19 bubble season.
The 33-year-old adds a post presence for Seattle, which already boasts offensive firepower from Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird. Charles ranks sixth in league history with 6,889 career points and is just seven points away from fifth place.
The Storm sit in second place in the Western Conference with an 11-7 record, while the Mercury are in fourth place with an 8-12 record.