University of Georgia and WNBA fans are mourning the passing of Kara Braxton.
The 43-year-old mother of two died Monday in a single-vehicle crash while driving on Interstate 285 in Cobb County.
Who is Kara Braxton?
Born in Michigan, Braxton grew into a major basketball talent and went on to play for UGA from 2002-2004.
The then-Detroit Shock made the 6-foot-6 center the seventh overall pick in the 2005 WNBA draft. She went on to have a distinguished career playing for the Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty.
Braxton was named to the WNBA’s All-Rookie team in 2005, and the following year she helped the Shock win the WNBA title. She led her team to a second title in 2008.
After retiring from professional basketball after 10 seasons, Braxton went to work for Nike and then relocated to the Atlanta area.
Braxton is survived by two sons, Jelani Thurman and Jream Jackson; her husband, Jarvis Jackson; and her twin sister, Kim.
Thurman shared tributes to his mother on his Instagram page, including a video from Ohio State of the former WNBA star reaching down to hug her son from the stands at a game. He wrote: “Imma miss my queen!”
What did the WNBA say
“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton,” the WNBA wrote in a statement on X. “Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time.”
The Atlanta Dream also posted a statement, saying “our hearts are with Kara’s husband and sons and all those who remember her at this difficult time.”
This is a developing story.
