Kara Braxton, 2-Time WNBA Champ and Mom of 2 Dies at Age 43
· Yahoo Sports
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- WNBA star Kara Braxton, who helped her teams win two championships, has died at age 43
- She is survived by her husband, two sons, and twin sister, with her son Jelani Thurman playing football for Ohio State
- Former teammate Plenette Pierson shared a heartfelt tribute, calling Braxton’s sons her “pride and joy”
Decorated WNBA star Kara Braxton has died at the age of 43.
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The WNBA announced the news on Sunday, Feb. 22, writing on X, “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton.”
No cause of death has been shared.
Braxton played for a total of 10 seasons for the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty. The forward was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2002 while playing for the University of Georgia and was later named All-Star in 2007.
Kara Braxton meets President Barack Obama while playing for Detroit Shock in 2009.Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty
After winning the WNBA championship in 2008 with Detroit Shock, Braxton visited the White House and met then-President Barack Obama the next year.
She is the mother of two sons — Jelani Thurman, who played on the Ohio State football team that won the national championship in 2024, and Jream Jackson. According to local station KGW8, she is survived by her husband, Jarvis Jackson, and twin sister, Kim.
Kara Braxton plays for Phoenix Mercury in 2010.Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty
Braxton’s son Thurman shared several tributes to his mother on his Instagram page, including a touching video from Ohio State of the former WNBA star reaching down to hug her son from the stands at a game.
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Former teammate Plenette Pierson took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to her late friend.
“Karebear……….This still feels unreal,” Pierson wrote. “I keep replaying memories and conversations because part of me expects to hear your voice again. Losing you hurts in a way words cannot hold.”
Pierson thanked Braxton for “showing me what unconditional friendship looks like.” She called Braxton’s sons her “pride and joy” promising to “support” Braxton’s sons.
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