Two-time WNBA champion Kara Braxton died following a horrific single-vehicle car crash in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, officials have confirmed.
The 43-year-old basketball star was behind the wheel of a 2023 Ford Mustang when she struck a concrete median on Interstate 285 at roughly 5pm.
‘The Ford continued in a northerly direction against the concrete wall until coming to rest on the left shoulder,’ the Cobb County Police Department said.
Braxton was rushed to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital following the impact but was tragically pronounced dead shortly after her arrival at the facility.
The news has devastated the sporting world. On Sunday, the WNBA released a statement mourning the ‘profound’ loss of the 6ft 6ins forward.
‘Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time,’ the league said on Sunday before the cause of death was made public.
Two-time WNBA champion Kara Braxton died following a horrific single-vehicle car crash in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, officials have confirmed
Braxton was named in the WNBA’s all-rookie team in her debut season. She won both of her WNBA titles with the Shock in 2006 and 2008
Braxton, a 6ft 6ins forward, played college basketball at Georgia between 2001 and 2004. She was then picked at No 7 by the Detroit Shock in the 2005 WNBA draft and made an immediate impact.
Braxton was named in the WNBA’s all-rookie team in her debut season. She won both of her WNBA titles with the Shock in 2006 and 2008.
She even moved with the franchise from Detroit to Tulsa before being traded away to the Phoenix Mercury. Braxton was then moved on to the New York Liberty during the 2011 season. She stayed there until she eventually retired in 2014.
An All-Star selection in 2007, Braxton averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game during her ten-year career.
Sporting stardom runs in the family. Her son, Jelani, was part of Ohio State’s 2024 national championship-winning team. The tight end transferred to Bill Belichick’s program at the University of North Carolina last month.
A spokesman for the Liberty said: ‘We mourn the loss of Kara Braxton, a former Liberty player whose presence and passion left a lasting impact on our organization and the women’s game.
‘Our hearts are with her family, friends, teammates, and all who were touched by her spirit. Her impact will not be forgotten.’
