WNBA Champion Kara Braxton Dies at 43

The former Detroit Shock star played in the league for 10 seasons and won two championships.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Kara Braxton, a two-time WNBA champion with the Detroit Shock, has died at the age of 43. Braxton played in the WNBA for 10 seasons, also suiting up for the Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty. The league and her former teams have expressed their condolences.

Why it matters

Braxton was a prominent figure in the WNBA during her playing career, winning championships in 2006 and 2008 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 drafted 7th overall by the Detroit Shock in 2005, four months after giving birth to her son Jelani Thurman. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team that year and went on to win titles with the Shock in 2006 and 2008. Braxton also played overseas in Europe and China before retiring in 2018 and taking a job with Nike in Portland.

  • Braxton was drafted by the Detroit Shock in 2005, four months after giving birth to her son.
  • She won WNBA championships with the Shock in 2006 and 2008.
  • Braxton played in the WNBA for 10 seasons, from 2005 to 2014.

The players

Kara Braxton

A two-time WNBA champion who played 10 seasons in the league, suiting up for the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty.

Jelani Thurman

Braxton's son, who played tight end on the 2024 Ohio State national championship team.

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The takeaway

Kara Braxton's passing at just 43 years old is a tragic loss for the WNBA and women's basketball community. As a two-time champion with the Detroit Shock, she was a prominent figure in the league during her playing career and left a lasting impact on the sport.