Kara Braxton, a former WNBA All-Star who played 10 years in the league, including two with the Phoenix Mercury, has died, the league announced on social media.
The cause of death was not given. She was 43.
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“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton. A 10-season 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.
Braxton was drafted No. 7 overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team in 2005 and an All-Star in ’07. She won championships in 2006 and ’08 with Detroit.
She was traded to the Mercury in 2010 and played 31 games in Phoenix before being traded to New York in 2011. Braxton started in 18 games and averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Braxton worked for Nike in Oregon after her retirement from professional basketball before moving to the Atlanta area. Her son Jelani Thurman was on the 2024 Ohio State national championship football team. He played tight end.
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Braxton is survived by her husband, Jarvis Jackson, and her two sons, Thurman and Jream Jackson.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Ex-Phoenix Mercury player, a 2-time WNBA All-Star dead at 43
