By Reuters
February 23 - Kara Braxton, who played in the WNBA for 10 seasons and won two championships, has died at age 43, the league announced on Sunday.
No cause of death or location was provided for Braxton, whose birthday was Wednesday.
"It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton," the WNBA said in a statement on social media. "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 Detroit Shock selected Braxton, a 6-foot-6 forward/center, with the seventh overall pick of the 2005 WNBA Draft.
Her career averages were 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 16.5 minutes in 297 regular-season games (120 starts) for Detroit/Tulsa (2005-10), Phoenix (2010-11) and New York (2011-14).
Braxton also averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 16.1 minutes in 46 playoff games (11 starts).
She won league championships in 2006 and 2008 with the Detroit Shock, who relocated to Tulsa for the 2010 season. She was on the WNBA All-Rookie team in 2005 and an All-Star in 2007.
"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 wrote on the team's X account. "Our hearts are with her family, friends, teammates, and all who were touched by her spirit. Her impact will not be forgotten."