Kara Braxton, a former WNBA All-Star who played 10 years in the league, including with the Detroit Shock — died in a car accident in Cobb County, Georgia, on Saturday.
Cobb County police confirmed in a statement obtained by USA Today Sports that Braxton died in a car crash outside Atlanta around 5:13 p.m. Saturday. The accident remains under investigation.
Detroit Shock teammate Kara Braxton, pictured in 2008.
A preliminary report says Braxton was driving a blue 2023 Ford Mustang Mach E northbound on I-285 and approaching Cobb Parkway when she “failed to maintain her lane” and “collided with the concrete median wall,” rolling against it until the car came to rest on the left shoulder.
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Braxton, 43, was transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia, where she was pronounced dead. She resided in College Park, Georgia.
“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of two-time WNBA champion Kara Braxton. A 10-year veteran, Kara played with the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and former teammates at this time,” the WNBA shared on X.
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Braxton was drafted No. 7 overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team after averaging 6.9 points and 3.0 rebounds. A 6-foot-6 power forward, she won championships in 2006 and 2008 with Detroit.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Members of the Detroit Shock, wearing the team’s new uniforms, were introduced to the media and public on Monday, May 11, 1998 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Members of the Detroit Shock, wearing the team’s new uniforms, were introduced to the media and public on Monday, May 11, 1998 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
The Detroit Shock celebrate their WNBA championship after defeating San Antonio 76-60 at the Convocation Center on the campus of Eastern Michigan University, Sunday, October 5, 2008.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Los Angeles Sparks player No. 9 Lisa Leslie watches Detroit Shock player No. 35 Cheryl Ford’s shot fail during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, September 12, 2023.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit Shock #32 Swin Cash players kiss the 2003 WNBA Finals Championship trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Sparks Tuesday, September 16, 2003, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit Shock’s Elaine Powell (5), right, drives against San Antonio Silver Stars (8) Jennifer Azzi during the Shock’s 99- 88 victory at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Tuesday, June 31, 2003.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit Shock players celebrate their victory against the Connecticut Sun in the 2003 WNBA Eastern Conference semifinals at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, Friday, September 5, 2003.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit Shock forward Swin Cash, left, and Cheryl Ford try to contain their joy in the final seconds of the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA Finals, Tuesday, September 16, 2003, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
CAPTION: Detroit Shock rookie forward No. 32 Swin Cash, left, and Utah Starzz guard No. 15 Adrienne Goodson fight for the ball on Tuesday, July 23, 2002.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
06/25/98 – Detroit Shock forward Carla Porter (L) scrambles with Washington’s Murriel Page for possession of the ball during a game at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills on June 25, 1998.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit Shock’s Lynette Woodard (left) and Sandy Brondello double team Utah’s Dena Head in action at the Palace Friday night. Detroit, returning from a four-game road trip, defeated the Starzz 79-67 on July 17, 1998.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit’s Shock’s Val Whiting (52) puts a post-up motor on Charlotte Sting’s Cass Bauer (34) in the first half, Tuesday, June 2, 1999, at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit’s Shock’s Korie Hlede(7) gets this blindside pass as she falls into NY Liberty’s Sue Wicks (23) in the first half on Monday, June 28, 1999, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit Shock center Razija Mujanovich (left) goes to the basket against Houston’s Monica Lamb during the first half at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Friday, August 7, 1998.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Cheryl Ford, #35, of the Detroit Shock backs Brooke Wyckoff, #21, of the Chicago Sky and scores during Kids’ Day at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Shock won 66-63.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit Shock Shannon Johnson (7) dribbles past Phoenix Mercury Tangela Smith (50) during the first period in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, Tuesday, September 11, 2007.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Swin Cash (32) of the Detroit Shock gives a pep talk after a foul during the second quarter of Game 4 against the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, Tuesday, September 13, 2007.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Jan Winterlee, 60, of Millington, dances with Detroit Shock mascot Zap on the court during a timeout during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Detroit Shock and the Phoenix Mercury at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday, September 5, 2007. T
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit Shock head coach Bill Laimbeer gets celebratory beer poured over his head in his team’s locker room after the Shock won 76-60 to capture the WNBA championship as the Detroit Shock faces the San Antonio Silver Stars at the Convocation Center on the campus of Eastern Michigan University on Sunday, October 5, 2008.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Taj McWilliams-Franklin of the Detroit Shock holds the WNBA championship trophy after defeating San Antonio 76-60 at the Convocation Center on the campus of Eastern Michigan University on Sunday, October 5, 2008.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Former Detroit Shock player Swin Cash, center left, takes a selfie on center court during the Pistons’ celebration of the 2003 WNBA championship team at halftime, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Little Caesars Arena.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit Shock Swin Cash holds the championship trophy after their victory against the Sacramento Monarchs for the 2006 WNBA Finals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Saturday, September 9, 2006.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Detroit Shock forward and team captain Swin Cash carries the championship trophy off the court after his team defeated the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA Finals, Tuesday evening, September 16, 2003, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills.
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Detroit Shock basketball through the years
Rookie guard Shavonte Zellous (1) holds a 09′ rookie class shirt during media day for the Detroit Shock, Monday, May 18, 2009, at the Pistons and Shock practice facility at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
She played in Tulsa, when the Shock moved, and also spent time with the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty. Braxton also played overseas in Poland, Turkey, China and Italy during the 2017-18 season.
Braxton is survived by her husband, Jarvis Jackson, and two sons, Jelani Thurman and Jream Jackson.
