Remember July 8, 2010, and its huge significance in today’s WNBA? While there are multiple reasons, one, particularly focuses on Tina Charles and her memorable accomplishment. However, before we get into the details of the same, it is salient to take a closer look at this year’s WNBA season as another record might just be around the corner. This time, featuring, rookie sensation Angel Reese, who is leading the league with her offensive rebounds.

Reese is steadily catching up on the double-doubles. As a rookie, the Pro has transcended into one of the greatest things that has happened to the WNBA as she broke WNBA legend Candace Parker’s record for the most consecutive double-doubles she set over multiple seasons in her 20th game when she recorded her 13th double-double in a game against Seattle. But, there is still one stone left to turn for Reese and it is the feat achieved by Tina Charles back in 2010

As the 2010 No.1 overall draft pick, Tina Charles wrote history with the maximum number of double-doubles as a rookie (22). Things look cosmic as this is the same date when Reese broke Parker’s record, setting up a single-season record for most consecutive double-doubles. But, she is yet to surpass Charles’ record as Reese currently sits with 20 double-doubles in her rookie season.

Back in 2010, Charles brought immense pride to her team at the time, the Connecticut Sun, and the league. You see, Connecticut was facing a struggle at the time as they had just traded an All-Star point guard Lindsay Whalen to Minnesota, and making matters worse, the team was in an injury scare. Charles on the other hand, posed as the Sun’s knight in shining armor being a consistent force in the frontcourt. Throughout the 2010 WNBA season, the No. 31 was the only player to start in all 34 games and boast the team with some scoring.

In just 17 games, Charles had already hit 13 double-doubles, showcasing some sick rebounding moves alongside her double-digit scores. Atlanta, New York, San Antonio, Chicago, and Phoenix, all of these teams witnessed Charles’ double-double greatness. However, it was the San Antonio Silver Stars (presently known as the Las Vegas Aces) that witnessed Charles’ greatness for the second time.

A historic sight as Charles had put out 27 points on 9-of-18 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free throw line while she added 20 boards (3 offensive and 17 defensive) that night. Although the Sun walked away with a 79-66 victory, the spotlight had already been stolen by Charles’ historical display. Tina Charles had become the first WNBA rookie with 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game.

The next morning, the Associated Press headline read – “Tina Charles: 27 points, 20 rebounds for Sun in loss to Dream.” What follows is – who joined Charles in this exclusivity?

Two years later, another rookie followed the trend

2012, Nneka Ogwumike entered the WNBA and put up 22 points and 20 rebounds as a rookie for the LA Sparks and joined Charles’ exclusive club. Being the first rookie to record a 20/20 game, Charles has been one of the two to do it.

But there was more to come for Charles as the next year she added the second installment of her 20/20 game against the Sparks and then again, her third 20/20 game came in 2012, her third season in the league, passing Chamique Holdsclaw’s two 20/20 games in 9 years.

Another interesting nugget is that Charles was also the one to blow the 2003 ROTY Cheryl Ford’s 15 double-doubles and the 2008 ROTY and MVP Candace Parker’s 17 double-doubles out of the water with this record still echoing to be one of the greats. She registered 23 double-doubles in 2011 as the league’s best to date.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger