Some special people stay with you… and Char is one of them.

When I sat down with Charlotte Whittaker, it felt a little full circle for me.

I first met Char back in 2018 at the inaugural Steven Adams High School Invitational Camp… where she was being mentored by Penina Davidson — someone she’d later go on to share the court with as a Tall Fern.

Since then, I’ve followed her journey and quietly cheered her on from afar.

So to see her arrive here in Adelaide for her WNBL debut with the Adelaide Lightning — and then get the chance to actually sit down and have this conversation — it was pretty special.

Because when you look at her journey, it’s taken her everywhere.

From a small town in North Canterbury to representing New Zealand as a Junior Tall Fern… to five years with the Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball, building a 114-game Division I career… to winning a championship in France.

On the surface, it looks like a journey that just kept building.

But that’s not the full story.

Because in the middle of it all, Charlotte was diagnosed with degenerative hip dysplasia — and suddenly, the game she’d built her life around was at risk of being taken away.

We’re talking about a choice between walking away… or going through multiple major surgeries for a 15 percent chance of ever playing again.

And still… she chose to back herself.

That part of the conversation — the honesty, the uncertainty, the resilience — that’s what stayed with me.

And now, reflecting on her choice to return home to New Zealand… suiting up for Mainland Pouākai in the Tauihi league, making her Tall Ferns debut alongside her sister… before stepping into the WNBL — it just adds another layer to her story.

Full circle — but earned.

This is what resilience looks like.
This is what perspective sounds like.

And this is what a role model for the next generation looks like.

Charlotte Whittaker — this is a really special one.