Kaila Charles
- School
- University of Maryland
- Position
- Forward
- Major
- Communications
Classroom
Kaila will graduate this spring with a degree in communications. Kaila earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in both her sophomore and junior seasons with a 3.367 cumulative GPA. She has made the Dean’s List four times at Maryland.
Character
Kaila has been a leader for the Terrapins since she stepped on campus. She has served as team captain for both her junior and current senior year. Kaila has always pushed her teammates to be the best and will lead by her willingness to sacrifice herself. She is always one of the first to cheer on teammates’ successes and support them. She holds others accountable in order to be great. Since Kaila grew up close to campus, she has welcomed all of her teammates over the years into her family by hosting meals at her home in nearby Glenn Dale.
Community
Kaila Charles has played a key role in many of Maryland’s community service initiatives over the last four years. The Terrapins adopted a young girl, Ashlyn, through an organization called Team IMPACT. Kaila and the team spend time with Ashlyn before and after games and do many other activities throughout the year. Kaila is one of the first to volunteer to spend time with Ashlyn. Kaila and the team have also volunteered with the Special Olympics and done clinics with many of their athletes. They have also volunteered at the DC Central Kitchen and with Terps Against Hunger, preparing food for the less fortunate. Kaila has also spent time visiting patients in a children’s and women’s hospital while in Puerto Rico and senior citizens in a local nursing home.
Competition
Kaila has started in every game of her career, averaging 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. She was named Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year and is a projected First Team All-American. Last year, she was one of five Cheryl Miller Award Finalists for the nation’s top small forward and was a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection. Kaila has scored 1,528 points in her career with 698 rebounds. She is the Big Ten’s leading returning scorer.
