Washington Mystics Official Release:
WASHINGTON, DC – The Washington Mystics announced today that they have acquired 2012 WNBA MVP Tina Charles from the New York Liberty in exchange for the Mystics’ 2020 first round draft pick, 2021 first, second and third round picks and guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough.
“We are extremely excited to bring Tina Charles to the Washington Mystics. It gives us a dynamic new weapon at both ends of the floor,” said Mystics General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault. “Having coached Tina before in Connecticut, I know what a huge impact she can have on the game every single night. Her ability to score inside and out will make our offense even more dangerous than in the past. Her willingness to share the ball will make it tough for opponents to double team her or Elena (Delle Donne) or Emma (Meesseman) or any of our other scorers. She is one of the best rebounders in the history of the league and that is an area that we have been looking to improve going into the upcoming season. I also think her competitive fire will be appreciated by her new teammates and she will in turn thrive in our environment. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to coach Tina again.”
Charles, a 6-4 center, averaged 16.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in 33 games with the Liberty last season, marking the sixth consecutive season she has appeared in 30 or more games. The former MVP brings a distinguished list of career accomplishments to the reigning champion Mystics, including being named an unanimous choice for WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2010, seven WNBA All-Star appearances (2011, 2013-2015, 2017-2019), five times being named First Team All-WNBA (2011-2012, 2015-2017) and First Team WNBA All-Defensive honors following the 2017 season. She has also won two Olympic Gold Medals with the USA Basketball Women’s National Team (2012, 2016).
The Jamaica, NY, native was originally drafted with the first overall pick out of the University of Connecticut by the Connecticut Sun in the 2010 NBA Draft. She has appeared in 330 games (all starts) for the Sun (2010-2013) and New York Liberty (2014-2019), holding career averages of 18.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game over 10 seasons. Charles’ 9.5 rebounds per game rank third all-time in WNBA history, trailing only Sylvia Fowles (9.8) and Cheryl Ford (9.7) and she ranks 10th overall in points per game in WNBA history. She became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 400, 500, 600 and 700 career rebounds and set the WNBA record for the first player to post three 20 point-20 rebound games.
“I also want to thank Shatori Walker-Kimbrough for all the contributions she has made to the Mystics the past three seasons,” added Thibault. “It’s always tough to have to trade a player, especially with the close-knit group that we have. Shatori was an important part of our success the last few years. We wish her well in New York.”
Walker-Kimbrough appeared in 80 games (10 starts) over the last three years for the Mystics, holding career averages of 5.2 points and 1.2 rebounds per game while shooting .413 from the field. She was originally drafted by the Mystics with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft.
New York Liberty Official Release:
BROOKLYN – April 15, 2020 – The New York Liberty announced today that the team has acquired guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, the 12th Overall Pick in the 2020 Draft, and 2021 First, Second and Third Round Picks from the Washington Mystics in exchange for center Tina Charles.
In addition, the Liberty acquired guard Tayler Hill along with the No. 9 and 15 picks in the 2020 WNBA Draft from the Dallas Wings in exchange for the Mystics’ 2021 First Round Pick (acquired in Charles deal) and New York’s own 2021 Second Round Pick.
“Tina Charles is a name that will forever be synonymous with New York basketball,” said Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb. “Over the past six seasons, Tina has cemented herself not only in the Liberty record books, but in the hearts of New Yorkers everywhere due to her tireless and selfless work in the community. On behalf of the New York Liberty organization I thank Tina and wish her well in Washington.”
Walker-Kimbrough appeared in 34 games (1 start) for the Washington Mystics in 2019, averaging 6,7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists, while shooting 43.2% from the field in 17.1 minutes. The 5’9” guard has appeared in 80 career games across three WNBA seasons with Washington, holding career averages of 5.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per game. Walker-Kimbrough was selected 6th overall by the Mystics out of the University of Maryland in 2017.
Hill appeared in four games (2 starts) for Dallas before having season-ending knee surgery in 2019. She averaged 3.3 points and 1.3 rebounds, while shooting 40.8% from the field in 12.2 minutes. The 5’9” guard has appeared in 145 career games across seven WNBA seasons with Washington and Dallas, holding career averages of 8.9 points and 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 19.7 minutes per game. Hill was selected 4th overall by Washington out of The Ohio State University in 2013.
Charles was selected first overall in the 2010 Draft by the Connecticut Sun. The Queens native was traded to New York from Connecticut in 2014.
In her six seasons in seafoam, the seven-time WNBA All-Star appeared in 200 games (all starts) posting an average of 18.7 points and 8.6 rebounds in 32.3 minutes per outing. A 10-year WNBA veteran, Charles owns career averages of 18.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 32.4 minutes in 330 career games (all starts) in New York and Connecticut.
For the first time in franchise history New York has the No. 1 pick in the Draft. The Liberty now hold picks 1,9,12, 13, 15 and 26—the most in team history. The 2020 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm will be held on Friday April 17 as a virtual event without players, guests, or media. ESPN coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET.
Dallas Wings Official Release:
ARLINGTON, TX – The Dallas Wings have acquired 2021 first and second round draft picks from the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty, respectively. In the exchange, Dallas will send Tayler Hill and the No. 9 and 15 picks in the 2020 WNBA Draft to the New York Liberty.
“On behalf of the Dallas Wings organization, I would like to thank Tayler for her hard work and leadership during her time with our team. We wish her and her family the best moving forward,” stated Dallas Wings President & CEO Greg Bibb. “This transaction creates salary cap flexibility, while adding additional assets in the 2021 draft.”
Hill was acquired by the Wings midway through the 2018 season and made her debut against the Chicago Sky on July 31. The Ohio State product made four appearances, including two starts, for the Wings in 2019 before a knee surgery sidelined her for the remainder of the season.
The Dallas Wings are entering its fifth season in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Playing games at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, the Wings have made the playoffs two of its four seasons in Dallas and look to push further during the 2020 season with Head Coach Brian Agler at the helm.
