The University of Georgia basketball team is honoring a former player Kara Braxton after his death at the age of 43.
Before the team’s game against the University of Florida on Sunday, March 1, the Bulldogs decorated the bench with Braxton’s No. 54 jersey and a rose, honoring the forward who was part of the Bulldogs’ 2004 Elite Eight team.
After his time at UGA ended (head coach Andy Landers cut her from the team in February 2004 after multiple suspensions), the Detroit Shock selected Braxton in the 2005 WNBA Draft. She went on to win two WNBA Championships with the team. (The Shock eventually moved to Tulsa and are now the Dallas Wings.)
“It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA champion Kara Braxton,” the WNBA said in a statement on X at the time of her death. “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.”
Braxton died on Saturday, February 21, after being involved in a one-car accident in her hometown of Georgia. According to a report received by USA TodayBraxton “failed to maintain his lane” and “crashed into the concrete median wall.”
He was taken to a hospital in Marietta, Georgia, where he was pronounced dead.
After his death was announced, Braxton’s former teammate, Plenette Piersonpay tax on Instagram. Braxton and Pierson played together with the Shock and again with the New York Liberty later in their careers.
“Karebear ……….This still feels unreal,” he wrote. “I keep replaying memories and conversations because part of me is waiting to hear your voice again. Losing you hurts beyond words.”
“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,” the Liberty added in a statement via X. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends, teammates, and all those touched by his spirit. His impact will never be forgotten. 🕊️”
Braxton — a Michigan native — retired from basketball in 2014 and spent several years working for Nike in Oregon before moving to Atlanta.
Braxton is survived by her husband, Jarvis Jacksontheir son, Jreamand his son, Jelani Thurmanshared with former NFL player Odell Thurman.
Jelani is coming off a national championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, where he played hard. He transferred to the University of North Carolina, where he will play his senior season.
Former Louisiana State University football player Devonta Lee has died after a years-long battle with cancer, his mother, Lacresia Brown, confirmed to Arkansas TV station KTVE on Thursday, February 26. He was 26 years old. Lee played three seasons at LSU from 2019 to 2021, winning a national championship with the Tigers as a true freshman. […]
“You taught me to walk hard,” said Jelani to her mother Yahoo Sports last week. “He has been to the championship, so he told me about some of the things he experienced and some of the things he had to do to get there.”
He posted several messages to his mother on Instagram on Sunday, including a video of his mom climbing over a Buckeye football game for a kiss.
Braxton previously said Jelani inspired her to return to Athens, Georgia, in 2026 to finish her degree.
“When he came to Ohio State, I just said, ‘It’s my turn,'” he said in a georgiadogs.com story at the time. “I got him out the door, I got him where he needed to be, let me continue and finish what I wanted to finish, I registered at the same time Jelani registered, and here I am.”
