Player Comparisons: Breanna Stewart x Tina Charles
A closer look at UConn’s star posts of the past and future.
SLAMonline Player Comparisons will provide a new viewpoint on top girls high school prospects by comparing them side-by-side with a WNBA player or current NCAA All-American. For our high school followers, it’ll give a glimpse into the future of some of the top names on the scene today. Player Comparisons also looks back at the body of work of current college and pro players, many of whom were SLAM All-Americans during their prep careers.
by Brandon Clay / @peachstatehoops and Jonathan Hemingway / @JLHemingway
| BREANNA STEWART IS TINA CHARLES |
| USA BASKETBALL Each player has won three gold medals with USA Basketball. Stewart won a Gold Medal in the First FIBA Americas U16 Championship for Women in 2009, again in 2010 with the FIBA U17 World Championship Team, and most recently with this year’s U19 World Championship Team. She is currently the only high school player on the USA Women’s Pan American Team Roster, which is presently playing in Mexico. Charles first won a Gold Medal in 2006 for the U18 National Team, again 2009 with USA Basketball at the Women’s World University Games, and most recently in 2010 with the National Team for the World Championship in Brazil. |
| TOP BILLING Stewart is the consensus No. 1 player in the Class of 2012 going into her senior season. Charles was the consensus National Player of the Year in ‘06. |
| GENO HAS TALENT IN STORRS Charles was an integral piece on two of Coach Auriemma’s national championship teams in ’09 and ’10. Stewart looks to continue the tradition of talented posts who dominate the paint for Connecticut. |
| VERSATILITY Both players stand at 6-4 and are known for controlling the paint area. Neither player can be mistaken as slow-footed post that simply runs block to block. Stewart is well known for her ability to hit the open jumper on the perimeter. Charles was active in defending opponents all over the court. |
| CONCLUSION Like Charles, Stewart has played her high school basketball in New York. Both players are known for the ability to rebound the ball and finish efficiently around the rim. Stewart has developed her face-up game earlier than Charles did. Charles is more of an athletic presence whereas Stewart is a skilled post who excels passing and shot making. In the end, the Huskies have landed another No. 1 prospect and have positioned themselves to add to the seven National Championships in the trophy case inside Gampel Pavilion. |
Brandon Clay is publisher of JumpOffPlus.com and owner of Peach State Basketball, Inc. Jonathan Hemingway is Assistant Director of Scouting for JumpOffPlus.com. Clay has been involved in the community since 2001 as an evaluator, event operator and trainer. Jonathan has been involved since 2002 as an analyst, camp director and evaluator.
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