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Two-time WNBA champion Kara Braxton, best known for her time with the Detroit Shock, has died at age 43.
The WNBA announced Braxton’s death on Sunday. No cause of death was given.
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“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton,” the WNBA said in a statement posted on social media.
“Our thoughts are with her family, friends and former teammates at this time.”
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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
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 23, 2026WNBA career spanned 10 years
After a dominant run at the University of Georgia between 2001 and 2004 (and being named the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2002), Braxton was picked No. 7 overall by the Detroit Shock in the 2005 WNBA draft, going on to make the league’s all-rookie team that season.
During her decade-long career, the 6-foot-6 forward played with Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty. She averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds, per New York Post
Braxton won two WNBA championships with Detroit in 2006 and 2008. In 2007, she was named WNBA All-Star, reported Yahoo! Sports.
She finished her basketball career with the Liberty in 2014.
Kara Braxton #45 of the Phoenix Mercury puts up a shot against the Seattle Storm in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2010 WNBA Playoffs at US Airways Center on September 5, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Tributes pour in
On Instagram, Braxton’s son, North Carolina tight end Jelani Thurman, mourned his mother’s passing.
“Imma miss my queen,” Thurman wrote alongside a picture of him wearing his mother’s Detroit Shock jersey.
The Georgia Bulldogs paid tribute to Braxton on Instagram, writing “Rest in peace Kara.”
“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 New York Liberty wrote on X. “Her impact will not be forgotten.”
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