Queens native Tina Charles excited to play for Liberty

As a kid growing up in Queens, Tina Charles often visited Madison Square Garden and watched from the stands in awe, eyes affixed on the basketball players she idolized: Patrick Ewing of the Knicks and Tari Phillips of the Liberty.

Now things have come full circle for Charles because she has the potential to be the WNBA superstar who captivates an audience at the Garden.

"That's pretty sweet,'' Charles, 25, said of playing for the Liberty. "Not many people get to play professionally for their home team. That's usually a fantasy.''

This became a reality for her after the Liberty acquired the former MVP from the Connecticut Sun in a blockbuster trade last month -- an acquisition that made new teammate Essence Carson "really, really, really excited!''

The addition of Charles is expected to invigorate a team that went 11-23 and missed the playoffs last season. She was the crown jewel in an offseason full of change, including redesigned uniforms and the move back to a renovated MSG.

The 6-4 center starred at Christ the King High School and UConn. She was drafted by the Sun first overall in 2010 and went on to win the MVP in 2012. She averaged 18 points and 10.1 rebounds last season so, clearly, her addition has elevated the Liberty's status and their expectations.

"There aren't many players like her in the world,'' Liberty coach and GM Bill Laimbeer said. "You don't find post players like her and she'll be a cornerstone of the franchise for maybe another 10 years.''

Charles had reportedly requested a trade from the rebuilding Sun and the Liberty began negotiating a deal "as soon as we were allowed to,'' Laimbeer said, dealing a package that included first-round picks this year and next. The trade came at the expense of depth, Laimbeer said, "but you need stars, and there's no question Tina is that.''

The Liberty opens the season -- coincidentally -- in Connecticut on Friday night and Laimbeer said he expects Charles to be booed "every time she touches the ball.'' Charles insisted she will feel "no added pressure'' despite the atmosphere.

If all goes according to plan, Charles will team with All-Star guard Cappie Pondexter to form a dynamic inside-outside tandem and, Carson said, "Tina's presence down low will make it easier for everyone to get open shots.''

Carson, too, can be considered a key addition after missing most of last season with a torn ACL. The forward resumed full basketball activity in April and insists she feels healthy. She averaged 11.6 points in 2012.

Pondexter, 31, had a down season by her standards, seeing her scoring average (16.9 points) and field-goal percentage dip considerably. Laimbeer attributed it to "minor injuries'' and said he is confident in a return to form.

So, all things considered, are championship aspirations within reason? "That's definitely our goal this year and every year,'' Charles said. "Why not?''