Just two years after winning WNBA MVP, 26-year-old star Tina Charles was traded to the New York Liberty in 2014.

She had played four seasons for the team that drafted her first overall in 2010 – the Connecticut Sun – and put up over 10 rebounds and 15 points per game each of those seasons. Charles would go on to play for four more teams, including the Atlanta Dream in 2024. She is the WNBA all-time leader in rebounds and trails only Diana Taurasi in points.

The package the Liberty traded for Charles included the fourth overall pick in 2014, which would become ten-year Sun veteran Alyssa Thomas. Now, following six consecutive semifinal appearances (two wins, neither of which culminated in a championship), Thomas has signed with the Phoenix Mercury. The Sun, seemingly heading into a rebuild, lost its entire starting five, including Dijonai Carrington, Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner in free agency and trades.

Amid the regime upheaval, the Sun has returned to its past. Charles, now 36, signed a one-year deal with Connecticut on Sunday.

“Today marks an incredible moment in our team’s history as we welcome back one of the greatest players to ever grace the WNBA,” Sun general manager Morgan Tuck said in a statement. “Tina not only helped define the success of this franchise during her early years, but she also set the bar for excellence, both on and off the court. Her passion, leadership, and dedication to the game have left an incredible mark on our league, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her return to the team where it all began.

“This is a full-circle moment that strengthens our foundation and inspires the next generation of players and fans alike. We are extremely excited for this next chapter of Connecticut Sun history with Tina back in a Sun uniform.”