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New details have emerged surrounding the death of Kara Braxton, confirming the former champion died following a car accident in Georgia.
The Cobb County Police confirmed to USA Today that the crash occurred Saturday evening, February 21, around 5:13 p.m. on Interstate 285 near Cobb Parkway, just outside Atlanta.
Preliminary findings state that Kara Braxton was driving a blue 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E northbound when she “failed to maintain her lane” and struck a concrete median wall.
The vehicle continued along the barrier before coming to a stop on the left shoulder. She was transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, where she was later pronounced dead.
Authorities say the incident remains under investigation.
The news adds clarity to what was initially reported as an unexpected loss when the WNBA confirmed her passing. In its official statement, the league said, “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton… Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time.”
Braxton, 43, leaves behind a legacy defined by strength in the paint and consistency across a 10-year professional career. Selected No. 7 overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock, she made an immediate impact, earning All-Rookie honors in her debut season. At 6-foot-6, she brought size and physicality to every stop in her career.
Her time in Detroit remains the highlight, where she contributed to championship runs in 2006 and 2008. When the franchise later relocated to Tulsa, Braxton continued with the team before moving on to the Phoenix Mercury and eventually the New York Liberty, where she closed out her WNBA career in 2014.
Across her time in the league, Braxton averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, along with an All-Star selection in 2007. Her role shifted over the years—from a developing reserve to a starting center and veteran presence—but her impact remained steady.
Before turning pro, she played at the University of Georgia, where she earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2002. She later graduated in 2005 before entering the WNBA.
Beyond the U.S., Braxton extended her career overseas, competing in multiple international leagues and winning additional titles. Her reach in the sport extended far beyond the WNBA.
Off the court, Braxton was a mother and wife. She is survived by her husband, Jarvis Jackson, and her two sons, including college football player Jelani Thurman.
Following news of her passing, the Detroit Pistons held a moment of silence ahead of their game on Monday, February 23.
