Tina Charles of Sun adds WNBA Rookie of the Year award to college player of the year honors

Sun’s Charles wins WNBA Rookie of the Year award

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Connecticut’s Tina Charles has won the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year award, months after she was honored as the women’s college player of the year.

Charles averaged more than 15 points and almost 12 rebounds a game for the Sun. Connecticut finished 17-17 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season.

She set a WNBA record for most rebounds in a season. Her 22 games with double figures in points and rebounds also was a league record.

Charles was the rookie of the month every month this season.

The 6-foot-4 center was the top pick in the WNBA draft out of the University of Connecticut. She led the Huskies to two consecutive national championships and a record 78 consecutive wins.