Kara Braxton, Former WNBA All-Star and 2-Time Champion, Dies at 43

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Kara Braxton, a former WNBA All-Star and two-time league champion, has died at 43, the WNBA announced on Sunday.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton,” the WNBA said in a statement on Instagram. “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.”

The Cobb County Police Department said Braxton was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Saturday afternoon on Interstate 285 near Cobb Parkway in Georgia. Her vehicle struck a concrete median, and she later died at a hospital, according to WSB-TV.

Standing 6-foot-6, Braxton was chosen seventh overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock. She spent six seasons with the team. The team later became known as the Tulsa Shock. She also played for the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty during her decade-long career.

Braxton helped Detroit win WNBA championships in 2006 and 2008. She was named to the league’s All-Rookie Team in 2005 and earned an All-Star selection in 2007.

Over 297 regular-season games, including 120 starts, Braxton averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16.5 minutes per game, according to WNBA statistics. In 46 playoff appearances, she averaged 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds.

Liberty also paid tribute, writing on Instagram: “We mourn the loss of Kara Braxton, a former Liberty player whose presence and passion left a lasting impact on our organization and the women’s game. Our hearts are with her family, friends, teammates, and all who were touched by her spirit. Her impact will not be forgotten.”

Born in Jackson, Michigan, Braxton starred at Westview High School in Portland, Oregon, before playing college basketball at the University of Georgia.

From 2001 to 2004, she averaged 15.4 points and 7.3 rebounds in 71 games for the Bulldogs. She was named Southeastern Conference Rookie of the Year for the 2001-02 season and earned All-SEC honors.

After her WNBA career, Braxton continued playing professionally overseas through the 2017-18 season. She later worked for Nike in Oregon and moved to the Atlanta area.

She is survived by her husband, Jarvis Jackson, and two sons, Jream Jackson and Jelani Thurman. Thurman played tight end for the Ohio State Buckeyes and later transferred to the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Plenette Pierson, assistant coach at Texas Tech and close friend of Braxton, shared a tribute on Instagram following Braxton’s passing, writing, “Thank you for being a loving friend and the best turn up partner. Thank you for showing me what unconditional friendship looks like through your loyalty, honesty, and for showing up every time I needed you. You made people feel seen, valued, and protected.”

Pierson said Jream and Thurman were Braxton’s “pride and joy,” and that she lived and worked every single day for them.

“My heart aches for your mom, Kyle, Kevin, your twin Kimmie, and everyone who loved you deeply. You meant so much to so many,” Pierson wrote.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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