The WNBA community and the world of women’s basketball are mourning the sudden loss of Kara Braxton, a two-time champion and former All-Star who passed away at the age of 43.
WNBA on X (formerly Twitter): “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton.A 10-season veteran, Kara played with the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time. pic.twitter.com/0I71xWCWfW / X”
It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton.A 10-season veteran, Kara played with the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time. pic.twitter.com/0I71xWCWfW
Braxton, born Kara Liana Braxton on February 18, 1983, in Jackson, Michigan, stood at an imposing 6-foot-6 and played as a forward/center. She rose to prominence during her college career at the University of Georgia, where she earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2002, was named to the All-SEC first team, and helped establish herself as a dominant force in the post.
Selected seventh overall in the first round of the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock, Braxton made an immediate impact. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team that season, averaging 6.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game off the bench. Her contributions helped the Shock secure WNBA championships in 2006 and 2008, cementing her legacy as a key part of one of the league’s most successful dynasties of that era.
Over her decade-long career (2005–2014), Braxton appeared in 10 seasons across four teams. She earned a WNBA All-Star selection in 2007 while with the Shock (prior to their relocation to Tulsa). Known for her physicality, rebounding prowess, and interior scoring, she finished her WNBA tenure with career averages of 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game.
Beyond her on-court achievements, Braxton was a devoted mother to her sons, including Jelani Thurman (a tight end for the North Carolina Tar Heels football team), who has spoken publicly about her profound influence on his life and development.
Reports from sources like Oregon Live and various social media discussions have suggested that Braxton died in a car accident in Atlanta, Georgia, over the weekend of February 20–22, 2026, though no official cause of death has been confirmed by authorities or the league at this time.
Tributes have poured in from across the basketball world, with former teams like the New York Liberty highlighting her “presence and passion” that left a lasting impact on the game. Fans, players, and analysts have expressed shock and grief at the untimely passing of a player who brought intensity, skill, and heart to every team she represented.
Kara Braxton’s contributions to the WNBA helped pave the way for future generations, and her memory as a fierce competitor and loving family member will endure. She is survived by her family, including her sons and loved ones.
Rest in peace, Kara Braxton. 🕊️🏀
