UGA Basketball Honors Former Player Kara Braxton After Her Death

The Bulldogs decorated a seat on their bench with Braxton's jersey and a rose to remember the 2-time WNBA champion.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The University of Georgia basketball team is honoring former player Kara Braxton, who passed away at the age of 43 in a car accident. Before their game against the University of Florida, the Bulldogs decorated a seat on their bench with Braxton's No. 54 jersey and a rose, paying tribute to the former forward who was part of the team's 2004 Elite Eight squad.

Why it matters

Braxton had a successful WNBA career, winning two championships with the Detroit Shock, and her death has been deeply felt by her former teammates and the women's basketball community. The UGA tribute is a way for the program to honor her legacy and impact on the sport.

The details

After being dismissed from the UGA team in 2004, Braxton was drafted by the Detroit Shock in 2005 and went on to win two WNBA titles with the team. She later played for the Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty before retiring in 2014. Braxton died in a single-car accident in her home state of Georgia on February 21, 2026.

  • Braxton was part of the UGA team that reached the 2004 Elite Eight.
  • Braxton was dismissed from the UGA team in February 2004.
  • Braxton was drafted by the Detroit Shock in 2005.
  • Braxton won two WNBA championships with the Detroit Shock.
  • Braxton died in a car accident on February 21, 2026.

The players

Kara Braxton

A former forward for the University of Georgia basketball team who went on to have a successful 10-year WNBA career, winning two championships with the Detroit Shock.

Andy Landers

The head coach of the University of Georgia women's basketball team who dismissed Braxton from the team in 2004.

Plenette Pierson

Braxton's former teammate on the Detroit Shock and New York Liberty, who paid tribute to her after her passing.

Jelani Thurman

Braxton's son, who plays tight end for the University of North Carolina football team and was inspired by his mother's championship pedigree.

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What they’re saying

“Karebear……….This still feels unreal. I keep replaying memories and conversations because part of me expects to hear your voice again. Losing you hurts in a way words cannot hold.”

— Plenette Pierson, Former Teammate (Instagram)

“She taught me to always go hard. She's been to the championship, so she told me about some of the experiences she had and some of the things she had to do to get there.”

— Jelani Thurman, Kara Braxton's Son (Yahoo Sports)

“When he landed at Ohio State, I just said, 'It's my turn.' I got him out the door, got him where he needed to be, so let me go ahead and finish what I wanted to finish. I enrolled at the same time Jelani enrolled, and here I am.”

— Kara Braxton (georgiadogs.com)

What’s next

The University of Georgia is expected to hold a memorial service for Kara Braxton during an upcoming home game to further honor her legacy.

The takeaway

Kara Braxton's passing has deeply impacted the women's basketball community, with her former team, teammates, and family all paying tribute to her championship pedigree and lasting influence on the sport. The UGA basketball team's gesture of honoring her with a decorated seat on their bench is a poignant way to remember her enduring impact.