Kaila Charles

Player Information

Kaila Charles (born March 23, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Valkyries of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for Reyer Venezia of the Lega Basket Femminile. She played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins. She was drafted by the Connecticut Sun with the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft. She also previously played for the Atlanta Dream, Seattle Storm, and Dallas Wings in the WNBA.
Full Name :
Kaila Charles
Birthdate :
23 March 1998
Birthplace :
Glenn Dale, Maryland, USA
Gender :
Female
Height (cm) :
185
Weight (kg) :
76
Nationality :
United States
Education :
Eleanor Roosevelt High School (High School), Riverdale Baptist School (High School), Maryland (College)
Career Started :
2020
Notable Achievements :
Third-team All-American – AP, USBWA (2020), 3x First-team All-Big Ten (2018, 2019, 2020), Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2017), McDonald's All-American (2016)
Current Team :
Golden State Valkyries
Previous Teams :
Connecticut Sun (From 2020, To 2021), Atlanta Dream (From 2022, To 2022), Seattle Storm (From 2023, To 2023), Dallas Wings (From 2025, To 2025), Reyer Venezia (From 2025, To present)
Drafted :
2020
Drafted by :
Connecticut Sun
Active Status :
From - 2020, To - Present

Biography

Kaila Charles is a professional basketball player in the WNBA, drafted 23rd in total by the Connecticut Sun in 2020. Growing up in a sports-oriented family, she excelled in basketball during her high school years, earning All-American honors. Known for her defensive skills and athleticism, Charles has shown consistent improvement in her performance. After a trade to the Seattle Storm in 2022, she continues to develop her game. Uncover more about her path and future potential in the league.

Early Life

Kaila Charles is a talented WNBA player who grew up in a sports-oriented family, which greatly influenced her athletic path. During her childhood, she demonstrated exceptional promise in basketball, particularly at Riverdale Baptist School, where she excelled on the court.

Throughout her high school career, Kaila scored over 2,000 points and earned prestigious All-American honors, displaying her skill and dedication to the sport.

Her mother, Ruperta Charles, was a track athlete who competed in the 1984 Olympics, emphasizing the strong athletic lineage that runs in her family.

Later, at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Kaila continued to shine, being named team MVP for three consecutive years and contributing to an impressive 72-5 record during her time there.

These accomplishments laid a solid foundation for her future career in basketball.

Family Life

Kaila Charles comes from a highly athletic family that has made notable contributions to sports. Her mother, Ruperta Charles, displayed her skill as a competitor in track at the 1984 Olympic Games, setting a high standard for athletic excellence.

Kaila has three older siblings: her sister Afia, who excelled in track at the University of Central Florida, and her brother Akil, who plays basketball at St. Francis in Nova Scotia.

This strong sports legacy within the Charles family has instilled a deep sense of dedication and commitment in Kaila, shaping her path and success in basketball. The competitive atmosphere created by her family’s achievements has been a crucial factor in her athletic development.

Career

Kaila Charles began her professional basketball career when she was drafted 23rd in total by the Connecticut Sun in the 2020 WNBA Draft.

Over her two seasons with the Sun, she demonstrated her potential by averaging 6.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in her rookie year, which improved to 6.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in her following season.

Known for her solid defensive skills and athleticism, she made notable contributions to her team’s performance.

In February 2022, Charles was traded to the Seattle Storm, where, as of the 2023 season, she has played four games and averaged 1.3 points.

Net Worth

Kaila Charles has an estimated net worth of $1 million, primarily influenced by her WNBA salary, which is reported to be $65,000 for her rookie season.

In her career so far, she has drawn salaries of $65,000, $70,000, $75,000, $80,000, and $85,000 in her top contracts.

Furthermore, she has the potential for earnings growth through endorsements and higher contracts in the future as she develops her skills and establishes her presence in the league.