Two-time WNBA Champion Kara Braxton, 43, dies in solo car crash near Atlanta

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Kara Braxton, a two-time WNBA champion known for her commanding presence in the post, died Saturday after a single‑vehicle crash near Atlanta, according to the Cobb County Police Department.

She was 43.

Kara Braxton Dies in Car Crash

Police said Braxton was driving a 2023 Ford Mustang north on Interstate 285 when the car struck the concrete median wall. The vehicle continued along the barrier before stopping on the left shoulder. She was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Authorities said the investigation remains open and urged witnesses to contact detectives.

The WNBA confirmed her death in a statement posted Sunday. The organization called her a “10‑season veteran” whose “presence and passion left a lasting impact.”

Family and Tributes

Her son, college football player Jelani Thurman, shared photos of them together on Instagram and wrote, “Imma miss my queen,” according to multiple reports.

Former teammates also posted tributes. Plenette Pierson wrote that losing Braxton “feels unreal” and thanked her for “unconditional friendship,” according to Hollywood Life.

Kara Braxton: A Career Built on Power and Consistency

Braxton entered the league as the No. 7 pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft, according to ESPN. She helped lead the Detroit Shock to championships in 2006 and 2008 and earned All‑Rookie honors in her first season. She became an All‑Star in 2007 and later played for the Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty.

Her career stretched across a decade. She averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds during her WNBA tenure, according to ESPN. She continued playing overseas through 2019.

Roots in Oregon and Rise at Georgia

Braxton grew up in Oregon, where she starred at Westview High School and earned Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year honors, according to WKYC. She later played at the University of Georgia, where the program named her SEC Freshman of the Year in 2002.

She left the program in 2004 but returned to complete her degree in 2024, a milestone she described as “finishing what I started,” according to university statements reported at the time.

Kara Braxton: Life in Atlanta and Legacy

Braxton had been living in the Atlanta area in recent years and worked for Nike after retiring from professional basketball, according to WKYC.

She is survived by her husband, Jarvis Jackson, and her sons, Jelani Thurman and Jream Jackson.

Police continue to investigate the crash and have asked anyone with information to contact Cobb County authorities.