Tina Charles sets all-time WNBA rebounding record: Dream star surpasses Sylvia Fowles against Liberty

Another night, another pair of records during this historic WNBA season. This time, it was future Hall of Famer Tina Charles, who became the league’s all-time leading rebounder and set the all-time double-double mark during the Atlanta Dream’s regular-season finale against the New York Liberty.

Heading into Thursday's game, Charles needed three rebounds to pass Sylvia Fowles for first place on the rebounding list with 4,007. Charles took care of business quickly. Within a few minutes, Charles went to work on the offensive glass and recovered a missed shot by Rhyne Howard.

Then, in the third quarter, Charles grabbed his 10th rebound of the game, giving him his 195th career double-double. Ironically, Charles also surpassed Fowles on that list and now has his name at the top of two important categories.

Charles, the first overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft, has been a rebounding machine since entering the league. As a rookie, Charles grabbed 11.7 rebounds per game, which led the league and remains the fifth-highest average in a season. Her 398 rebounds that season remained the record for a rookie until this summer, when Angel Reese surpassed it.

During her 13 seasons in the league, Charles has led the league in rebounding four times, the most of any player.

The WNBA's All-Time Best Rebounders

After a disappointing 2022 season split between the Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm, Charles sat out the 2023 season and initially did not plan to return to the league.

“I had retired. For me, I couldn't play anymore.” Charles told CBS Sports earlier this season“But I knew I still loved the game.”

Ultimately, Charles decided to return and signed with Dream, a team coached by Tanisha Wright, a former teammate from her days with the New York Liberty.

“I knew it would be a good opportunity,” Charles said. “My agent had reached out to me about where (head coach Tanisha Wright) and (general manager Dan Padover) were in Atlanta and what they wanted to do. We had a conversation and it was great for me to have the opportunity to be with Tanisha. … She's a big sister and she's someone who knows me inside and out.”

Entering Thursday, Charles was averaging 15 points and 9.6 rebounds per game this season.