Kara Braxton, a two-time WNBA champion, passed away after a car crash in Atlanta over the weekend.
Braxton, who played in the league for about a decade, won two championships with the Detroit Shock.
“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,” the WNBA stated.
It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton.
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 23, 2026
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
Fox News shared further:
The Detroit Shock selected Braxton with the No. 7 overall pick of the 2005 draft out of Georgia. She was an All-Star for Detroit in 2007 and was a member of the championship-winning teams in 2006 and 2008.
She was with them when the team moved to Tulsa but was later traded to the Phoenix Mercury and eventually the New York Liberty. She was waived by the Atlanta Dream before the 2016 season.
“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,” the Liberty said. “Our hearts are with her family, friends, teammates, and all who were touched by her spirit. Her impact will not be forgotten.”
“Rest in peace Kara,” the University of Georgia women’s basketball stated.
“Georgia mourns the loss of former Lady Bulldog Kara Braxton, who played from 2002-04,” it added.
Rest in peace Kara 🕊️
— Georgia Basketball 🏀🐶 (@UGA_WBB) February 23, 2026
Georgia mourns the loss of former Lady Bulldog Kara Braxton, who played from 2002-04. pic.twitter.com/4bKYMzur4c
NBC News has more:
Braxton’s son, University of North Carolina tight end Jelani Thurman, posted a photo of himself and his mother from when he was a toddler, a teenager and a college football player.
“Imma miss my queen!” he wrote in an Instagram story.
According to the Cobb County Police Department, Braxton was behind the wheel of a 2023 Ford Mustang heading north on Interstate 285 just after 5 p.m. on Saturday when she collided with the concrete median wall.
“The Ford continued in a northerly direction against the concrete wall until coming to rest on the left shoulder of I-285 at Cobb Parkway,” police said in a press release.
Braxton was rushed to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
