Basketball Icon Tina Charles Signs With AU Pro Basketball
- All-Time WNBA Leader in Rebounds and Field Goals Made, 3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, and 8-Time WNBA All-Star and Joins AU Pro Basketball
- High Stakes, Intense Four-Week Competition Tips off February 4 in Nashville; Season Ticket Deposits Available Now
July 29, 2025, New York – Tina Charles, one of the most decorated players in women’s basketball history, has signed to compete in the fifth championship season of Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball, which returns to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium from February 4 through February 28, 2026.
The all-time WNBA leader in rebounds and field goals made and second all-time leading scorer in WNBA history, Charles is a three-time Olympic gold medalist, eight-time WNBA All-Star, 2012 WNBA MVP and four-time All-WNBA First Team selection. Before turning pro, she starred at the University of Connecticut, where she was the National Player of the Year, led the Huskies to back-to-back undefeated national championships in 2009 and 2010 and was the first pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft. Just last week, the Connecticut Sun center was named the recipient of the WNBA’s Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to service, social justice, and creating lasting impact in the communities she serves.
She now brings her Hall of Fame resume to AU Pro Basketball, joining a strong pool of returning veterans and exciting newcomers as the league continues to build momentum in Music City.
Read More: Tina Charles is Choosing Athletes Unlimited to Continue Her Basketball Legacy
AU has already locked in a robust group of early signees for the 2026 season featuring a dynamic mix of WNBA veterans and up-and-coming fan favorites, including Alysha Clark, Isabelle Harrison, Lexie Brown, Sydney Colson, NaLyssa Smith, Kaitlyn Chen, Odyssey Sims, Deja Kelly, Kia Nurse, Jaylyn Sherrod, Theresa Plaisance, Ariel Atkins, Aaliyah Nye, Te-Hina Paopao, Kiah Stokes and Jacy Sheldon.
Of the players signed to date, 13 were first round draft picks in the WNBA and they have won a combined 13 WNBA Championships and 16 NCAA Championships among them.
“I’m excited to join Athletes Unlimited and be part of a league that’s changing the game for women’s sports,” said Charles. “Competing alongside some of the best players while contributing to a player-driven model is something I deeply believe in. I’m ready to bring my passion and experience to AU.”
“Adding someone of Tina’s caliber to the AU Pro Basketball family is huge for us, and further evidence of the stellar roster of competitors we are building for AU Pro Basketball,” said Megan Perry, Vice President of Basketball for Athletes Unlimited. “She brings championship pedigree, star power, and leadership, and is among the most respected players within the basketball community. We believe her presence will elevate competition, mentor rising players, and give fans yet another reason to be thrilled when the season tips off next February.”
Following a banner debut in Nashville in 2025 with record attendance and community engagement, the AU Pro Basketball brings its unique brand of basketball action back to Nashville, where it is the only women’s professional sports property in the city. Forty professional hoopers are invited to compete in four weeks of intense 5-on-5 competition. With $500,000 in prize bonuses at stake and the rules set by the players themselves, every moment counts as each player competes for the title of individual AU Pro Basketball Champion.
Group and season ticket deposits for the upcoming season are available now at AUProBasketball.com. The full 40-player roster, as well as the full schedule for the 2026 AU Pro Basketball season, including broadcast information, game dates and times will be announced at a later date.
AU Pro Basketball was the first winter pro women’s basketball league to launch in the United States when it began in 2022 and remains the only platform in the U.S. offering professional women the opportunity to play 5 v 5 full court basketball outside of the WNBA. Innovative in its player-focused approach, AU Pro Basketball provides an ability for WNBA players to stay in the U.S. during the offseason while also providing playing opportunities for elite pro players not currently on WNBA rosters. Like other Athletes Unlimited leagues, AU Pro Basketball is led by a Player Executive Committee, and players have the opportunity to share in long-term profits of the company. National broadcast and business partners for AU Pro Basketball include ESPN, Nike and Gatorade.
AU Pro Basketball is part of Athletes Unlimited, which was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2023 and features an Advisory Board comprised of an illustrious group of high-profile contributors from the worlds of sports, business and entertainment including basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes, two-time NBA champion and entrepreneur Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman of 35 Ventures; and U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team superstar Abby Wambach, among many others.
