ATLANTA \u2014 Kara Braxton, a two-time WNBA champion with the Detroit Shock and a star for the University of Georgia women\u2019s basketball, died after crashing on an Atlanta-area interstate on Saturday. She was 43.<\/p>\n
According to police in Cobb County, Braxton was involved in a single-vehicle crash while heading north on Interstate 285, WSB-TV<\/a> reported. Braxton\u2019s 2023 Ford Mustang vehicle struck a concrete median wall on the left shoulder of the highway, according to The New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n She died at an area hospital.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton,\u201d the WNBA<\/a> said in a statement on Sunday. \u201cOur thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton.<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 WNBA (@WNBA) February 23, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Braxton, a 6-foot-6 center-forward, played college basketball at the University of Georgia from 2001 to 2004, ESPN<\/a> reported. She was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year in 2002, averaging 16.3 points and 2.0 blocks per game as she helped the Bulldogs to a Sweet 16 berth in the NCAA Tournament, according to the Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n Georgia suspended<\/a> Braxton for two regular-season games during her sophomore year, and a third suspension ended her season, the newspaper reported. She was dismissed from the squad during her junior year for violating team rules.<\/p>\n Braxton was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2005 WNBA draft when the Shock selected her. Braxton would make the league\u2019s all-rookie team that season, according to the sports news website.<\/p>\n She helped Detroit to WNBA titles in 2006 and 2008, playing a key role behind stars Cheryl Ford and Swin Cash, the Times<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n Braxton played in Detroit until 2009, when the franchise moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to the newspaper, according to the newspaper.<\/p>\n She was traded to the Phoenix Mercury during the 2010 season and spent the next five seasons with the Mercury, Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty.<\/p>\n Braxton\u2019s son, Jelani Thurman, plays college football and recently transferred from Ohio State to North Carolina, WSB-TV<\/a> reported. He posted a series of tributes to his mother on his Instagram stories, including a post<\/a> of the two celebrating a Buckeyes victory.<\/p>\n Braxton is also survived by her husband, Jarvis Jackson, and their young son Jream, WSB<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n Police said the crash remains under investigation.<\/p>\n Latest noteworthy deaths:<\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n