\u2014 WNBA (@WNBA) February 23, 2026<\/a>WNBA career spanned 10 years<\/p>\n 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\u2019s all-rookie team that season.<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n Braxton won two WNBA championships with Detroit in 2006 and 2008. In 2007, she was named WNBA All-Star, reported Yahoo! Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n She finished her basketball career with the Liberty in 2014.<\/p>\n On Instagram<\/a>, Braxton\u2019s son, North Carolina tight end Jelani Thurman, mourned his mother\u2019s passing.<\/p>\n \u201cImma miss my queen,\u201d Thurman wrote alongside a picture of him wearing his mother\u2019s Detroit Shock jersey.<\/p>\n The Georgia Bulldogs paid tribute to Braxton on Instagram<\/a>, writing \u201cRest in peace Kara.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe mourn the loss of Kara Braxton, a former Liberty player whose presence and passion left a lasting impact on our organization and the women\u2019s game,\u201d the New York Liberty wrote on X<\/a>. \u201cHer impact will not be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n![\"Seattle](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-103857692-1.jpg\")
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<\/p>\n