Before Tina Charles could even think about becoming the best college center in the United States, the UConn senior knew she first needed to become the best person possible.
That would involve maturing, physically and emotionally, so she could properly accept instruction, so that teammates would fully respect her and opponents fear her.
"It's all about just knowing what Coach [ Geno Auriemma] wants from me is what I should want from myself," Charles said. "That and not to be lazy, act like a 12-year-old, as Coach always says I do."
Three years ago, there were times when that seemed like an impossible task. Although immensely talented, Charles seemed to be just another immature kid looking for shortcuts.
Her selection to the 2006 U.S. U18 FIBA Americas team before her freshman season should have been a major steppingstone. But it was fraught with difficulties, even though the team won the gold medal, because of the attitude of Charles and some of her teammates in Colorado Springs.
Coach Doug Bruno and assistants Jen Rizzotti and Carol Owens had to impose curfews and take away cellphones in an effort to restore order.
But now, Bruno, an assistant to Auriemma with the U.S. national team, looks at Charles and marvels.
"Tina's playing now with a maturity and competitiveness that she needs to succeed at this level," Bruno said. "She's answered the bell very impressively. And as much as she's achieved, she's still not going to be 21 until December. That's unbelievably young, off the charts young [for someone so talented].
"It's amazing to think of where she is now as compared to where she was when I coached her on the U18 team. Look at her now."
That's right, look at her now.
As Charles prepares to begin her senior season Saturday against Northeastern, the world is at her fingertips. She is coming off an amazing few months, beginning with her selection as the Most Outstanding Player of the 2009 Final Four.
"Tina Charles [25 points, 19 rebounds] did an outstanding job of intimidating us," Louisville coach Jeff Walz said after UConn's 76-54 victory in the championship game.
In June, Charles led the U.S. team to gold at the World University Games in Serbia. She had 28 points and 18 rebounds in the final game, an 83-64 victory over Russia.
"To have the success I had in Serbia was important to me," Charles said. "It proved that I wouldn't just get stuck on what went on at the Final Four."
Then in Russia last month, she was one of the key players as the national team swept three exhibition games against top European professional teams.
"I didn't look at it as if I was playing against them," Charles said. "I just wanted to play my game and it was a good performance and we won [the tournament].
"I might be considered an elite player by some now, but I could have gone over there and played terrible. It wasn't what I wanted from myself."
Charles is a psychology major, appropriate for someone who has done so much introspection.
"Tina has proven she can be the most dominating player in the nation at times, and now it shouldn't matter what the competition is," said former UConn assistant Jamelle Elliott, the new coach at Cincinnati. "It needs to be on a consistent basis. And she needs to bring leadership to the team. I'm sure she has confidence now, but now she needs to follow up on that and learn how to use that to become a leader."
She has been guided in life by her mother, Angella Holgate, who has used words and support to instill the confidence that seemed to be lacking during her daughter's adolescence.
A major turning point occurred during the summer before Charles' junior season when she traveled to Colorado with UConn teammates Maya Moore and Kaili McLaren for an Athletes in Action event.
"I always tell her to put God first and things will fall into place," Holgate said in December in Cancun. "That had a big impact on her life. It helped her become more spiritual and grounded."
And now Auriemma is counting on her — as one of his captains — to show others the way, in whatever fashion Charles finds natural.
"I'm just hoping Tina can lead this time by playing hard," Auriemma said. "You don't have to call team meetings if you are a captain. Not everyone is Renee Montgomery or Diana Taurasi. Some people can get it done differently."
Charles is a consensus preseason All-American, which she was last year as well. She is expected by many to be the top pick in the 2010 WNBA draft.
And with 1,638 career points, it's likely she will end her career as UConn's all-time scoring leader. Nykesha Sales (2,178) has held that record since 1998.
Elliott anticipates Charles has learned from her mistakes, some caused by being given too much too fast, which caused friction with Auriemma.
"I don't know if she was very different than most freshmen we had at UConn," Elliott said. "We've had kids come in like that in the past. The difference was, we needed her to play significant minutes right away. She was expected to produce every day, so she wasn't allowed to go through the loopy stage. And when you're not allowed to go through that, all of a sudden the behaviors are heightened."
That would involve maturing, physically and emotionally, so she could properly accept instruction, so that teammates would fully respect her and opponents fear her.
"It's all about just knowing what Coach [ Geno Auriemma] wants from me is what I should want from myself," Charles said. "That and not to be lazy, act like a 12-year-old, as Coach always says I do."
Three years ago, there were times when that seemed like an impossible task. Although immensely talented, Charles seemed to be just another immature kid looking for shortcuts.
Her selection to the 2006 U.S. U18 FIBA Americas team before her freshman season should have been a major steppingstone. But it was fraught with difficulties, even though the team won the gold medal, because of the attitude of Charles and some of her teammates in Colorado Springs.
Coach Doug Bruno and assistants Jen Rizzotti and Carol Owens had to impose curfews and take away cellphones in an effort to restore order.
But now, Bruno, an assistant to Auriemma with the U.S. national team, looks at Charles and marvels.
"Tina's playing now with a maturity and competitiveness that she needs to succeed at this level," Bruno said. "She's answered the bell very impressively. And as much as she's achieved, she's still not going to be 21 until December. That's unbelievably young, off the charts young [for someone so talented].
"It's amazing to think of where she is now as compared to where she was when I coached her on the U18 team. Look at her now."
That's right, look at her now.
As Charles prepares to begin her senior season Saturday against Northeastern, the world is at her fingertips. She is coming off an amazing few months, beginning with her selection as the Most Outstanding Player of the 2009 Final Four.
"Tina Charles [25 points, 19 rebounds] did an outstanding job of intimidating us," Louisville coach Jeff Walz said after UConn's 76-54 victory in the championship game.
In June, Charles led the U.S. team to gold at the World University Games in Serbia. She had 28 points and 18 rebounds in the final game, an 83-64 victory over Russia.
"To have the success I had in Serbia was important to me," Charles said. "It proved that I wouldn't just get stuck on what went on at the Final Four."
Then in Russia last month, she was one of the key players as the national team swept three exhibition games against top European professional teams.
"I didn't look at it as if I was playing against them," Charles said. "I just wanted to play my game and it was a good performance and we won [the tournament].
"I might be considered an elite player by some now, but I could have gone over there and played terrible. It wasn't what I wanted from myself."
Charles is a psychology major, appropriate for someone who has done so much introspection.
"Tina has proven she can be the most dominating player in the nation at times, and now it shouldn't matter what the competition is," said former UConn assistant Jamelle Elliott, the new coach at Cincinnati. "It needs to be on a consistent basis. And she needs to bring leadership to the team. I'm sure she has confidence now, but now she needs to follow up on that and learn how to use that to become a leader."
She has been guided in life by her mother, Angella Holgate, who has used words and support to instill the confidence that seemed to be lacking during her daughter's adolescence.
A major turning point occurred during the summer before Charles' junior season when she traveled to Colorado with UConn teammates Maya Moore and Kaili McLaren for an Athletes in Action event.
"I always tell her to put God first and things will fall into place," Holgate said in December in Cancun. "That had a big impact on her life. It helped her become more spiritual and grounded."
And now Auriemma is counting on her — as one of his captains — to show others the way, in whatever fashion Charles finds natural.
"I'm just hoping Tina can lead this time by playing hard," Auriemma said. "You don't have to call team meetings if you are a captain. Not everyone is Renee Montgomery or Diana Taurasi. Some people can get it done differently."
Charles is a consensus preseason All-American, which she was last year as well. She is expected by many to be the top pick in the 2010 WNBA draft.
And with 1,638 career points, it's likely she will end her career as UConn's all-time scoring leader. Nykesha Sales (2,178) has held that record since 1998.
Elliott anticipates Charles has learned from her mistakes, some caused by being given too much too fast, which caused friction with Auriemma.
"I don't know if she was very different than most freshmen we had at UConn," Elliott said. "We've had kids come in like that in the past. The difference was, we needed her to play significant minutes right away. She was expected to produce every day, so she wasn't allowed to go through the loopy stage. And when you're not allowed to go through that, all of a sudden the behaviors are heightened."
Charles is plain gifted, but despite her talents and great accomplishments in last year's NCAA Tournament,it seems that it took her trips this summer to Serbia and Russia with USA Basketball to finally get the confidence she needs to become a true floor leader. It seems she now has that maturity and leadership and should go on to a simply monster season this year. As Tina racks up not only the points, but adds inspiration for her teammates and personal total commitment on the floor, look for Geno to be less stingy with his hugs!
DavefromOregon (11/13/2009, 1:07 PM )