MOSCOW (FIBA World Championship for Women) - When Tina Charles stepped out at the last FIBA World Championship for Women, it was part of a whirlwind calendar year which sparked a significant maturing process and one likely to bear even more fruit when she heads to Turkey this time around.

Yes, there's little doubt that the year 2010 will forever be etched on the brain of the 25-year-old center.

Having been selected with the number one pick in that year's WNBA draft by the Connecticut Sun, Charles made the switch from the college game to the pros, landed the Rookie of the Year Award, collected a glorious gold medal win with USA in Karlovy Vary and then hot-footed it to Russia for a first pro-season overseas.

"That year was actually bitter-sweet," recalled Charles.

"(I was) Honoured for my personal play in the WNBA after receiving the Rookie of the Year Award, (but) I would have traded it in a second to have been in the playoffs. Not having a post-season with the Connecticut Sun was frustrating.

"The FIBA World Championship for Women in the Czech Republic was great to be a part of.

"To be able to compete at the highest level of your sport is always an honour and a blessing. I was able to learn from a great coaching staff and team-mates."

"Then, during my first year overseas, I played for Nadehzdha Orenburg and was able to play alongside Becky Hammon and Shameeka Christon.

"They helped my transition from being away from family and friends over a long period of time.

"Playing at the Worlds before going over to Russia also helped me to adapt to the physical play of Europeans and gain more respect for players abroad."

She continued: "As far as maturity goes, when you are a part of an Olympic team, even just once, it propels the respect level that others have around you and you are expected to perform at a certain level with every team you are on.

"It's an added target on your back, competition-wise and going into every game, I do my best to remember that and play at an unmatched level.

"In 2010, I was 22-years-old and now being a little older, I have grown to learn that life is a temporary assignment.

"With my faith and belief, you learn there's more to basketball and how to impact someone's life positively is what it's all about.

"I strive to do that daily with the many people I am able to come across because of basketball and where it has taken me."

Charles is currently helping WBC Dynamo Moscow try to defend their EuroCup Women title alongside national team colleague Lindsay Whalen.

The pair are also trying to help the club deliver some domestic success, although it is difficult in an intense and fierce Russian Premier League.

Rated one of the best leagues in the world, it has seen them slip-up a couple of times during recent weeks.

"The Russian league is very competitive," stressed Charles.

"To have the rule that you can have an unlimited amount of Americans on the court at the same time has made it even more challenging for teams.

"Being a competitive player I believe we want that challenge in order to take our game to the next level."

Charles and Whalen will both head to Turkey next week for the first leg of their EuroCup Women quarter-final against Adana Botas.

FIBA