Tina Charles came to UConn Huskies women’s basketball programs with a couple of goals.
She wanted to win a national championship (done) and become the best player in women’s basketball.
And on Saturday afternoon, she achieved the second goal as she was named the 2009-10 Women’s Basketball Player of the Year by the Associated Press. Earlier in the day, she was named to the State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team.
Charles finished with 33 of the 40 votes to beat out her teammate Maya Moore, last year’s AP Player of the Year,. Moore had four votes, Kelsey Griffin of Nebraska had two votes and Alysha Clark from Middle Tennessee State received one vote.
She is the 7th Husky to win the award joining Maya Moore (2009), Diana Taurasi (2003), Sue Bird (2002), Kara Wolters (1997), Jennifer Rizzotti (1996) and Rebecca Lobo (1995)
In 37 games this season, Charles has averaged 18.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
