Hello everyone! I’m Tina Charles, and I’m extremely excited to blog for Global Grind. This is my first blog ever and I hope you all like what you read!
The past couple of weeks have been an extreme whirlwind for me. I’ve had to transition from being a student athlete for the University of Connecticut – 2010 Women’s Basketball NCAA Champs – to becoming a professional athlete, #1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, and playing for the Connecticut Sun.
After the NCAA Championship game against Stanford University, my teamies and I reflected back on the PERFECT season (39-0) we had and cherished the last moments we had together. Then it was back to school, catching up in classes and taking my last set of finals. Afterwards I was off to Secaucus, NJ for the WNBA Draft and my dream had finally come true. To hear my name called, let alone first, was a tremendous blessing. My heart was pounding out of my chest and I was squeezing my parent’s hands because I was so nervous. I was extremely happy to have a chance to stay on the east coast with the Connecticut Sun and only be two-hours away from home in Queens, NY.
After the draft, a couple rookies and I went out to New York City to celebrate and had a GREAT time. In addition to being drafted, the WNBA set up many interviews for me, which included being on Good Morning America and meeting Robin Roberts!!!
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Later on in the week, I returned back to school and was still “high off of life” as Jay-Z said. Between being drafted and winning another national championship, I couldn’t ask for a better senior year. Back to reality, I started packing up my apartment on campus and moved into my new place in Groton, CT to get ready for training camp with the Connecticut Sun.
Around the same time, I graduated earning my degree in Psychology with a double minor in Sociology and Criminology. Also, my former teammates at Uconn and I were honored with a visit to the White House to meet and be recognized as the 2010 National Champs by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the second year in a row.
When I returned to the Connecticut Sun, we had our first game vs. the Chicago Sky, we won, and are currently 2-1 for the season. So that is a quick sum up of my life in the last couple of weeks, but for more, you can follow me on twitter @tinacharles31.
Until next time…
– Tina
