Two-Time WNBA Champion Kara Braxton Dies at 43

Braxton played 10 seasons in the WNBA for the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Kara Braxton, a former WNBA All-Star and two-time champion with the Detroit Shock, has died at the age of 43. Braxton played 10 seasons in the WNBA for the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty. No official cause of death has been released.

Why it matters

Braxton was a respected and accomplished player in the WNBA, winning two championships with the Detroit Shock. Her passing at a relatively young age is a significant loss for the women's basketball community.

The details

Braxton was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2005 WNBA draft after a successful college career at the University of Georgia. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team in 2005 and helped the Detroit Shock win the WNBA title in 2006. Braxton later became the Shock's starting center in 2007 after the team traded Ruth Riley.

  • Braxton died just a few days after turning 43 on February 18, 2026.
  • Braxton was born on February 18, 1983 in Jackson, Michigan.

The players

Kara Braxton

A former WNBA All-Star and two-time champion with the Detroit Shock, who played 10 seasons in the WNBA.

Jelani Thurman

Braxton's son, who played tight end on the Ohio State football team that won the national championship in 2024 before transferring to North Carolina in January.

Jarvis Jackson

Braxton's husband.

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The takeaway

Braxton's passing is a significant loss for the WNBA and women's basketball community, as she was a respected and accomplished player who won two championships with the Detroit Shock during her 10-year career.