As the basketball world mourns the passing of two-time WNBA champion Kara Braxton, authorities have confirmed the cause of her death. As tributes continue to pour in for the 43-year-old, her son, Jelani Thurman, made an emotional appeal for privacy.

Kara Braxton was involved in a car accident after she hit a concrete median on Interstate 285 on Saturday evening. The 43-year-old was declared dead shortly after being brought to the Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Georgia.

Her son, Jelani Thurman, who is a CFP National Champion, expressed his appreciation for the amount of respect and love pouring in for Kara. In a statement shared on his Instagram story, the North Carolina college football star requested that the family be able to grieve privately, stating that they will not accept any guests at the house indefinitely after today.

The Cobb County Police Department in Georgia confirmed the details of the incident: “The Ford continued in a northerly direction against the concrete wall until coming to rest on the left shoulder.”

Her son, Jelani Thurman, shared photos, remembering her as he appealed for privacy. While the CFP National Champion declared the family will not welcome any guests after today, he promised to reveal information about the services after they can make arrangements.

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43-year-old Kara Braxton had an illustrious career in the WNBA. The two-time champion played 10 seasons in the league before moving on to overseas basketball and ultimately retiring from the sport in 2019. Kara scored 2251 points in 10 WNBA seasons and was instrumental in the Detroit Shock’s successful campaigns in 2006 and 2008.

Kara was not a stranger to vehicle mishaps. The WNBA suspended the illustrious forward twice during her career after she pleaded guilty to vehicle-related violations.

After her retirement, Braxton worked for Nike in Oregon. Kara Braxton only recently graduated in 2024, 20 years after being expelled from the University of Georgia basketball program because of team rule violations.

WNBA pays respects to former star Kara Braxton

While the WNBA CBA negotiations are ongoing, the governing body released a statement on the passing of former player Kara Braxton.

The WNBA posted on social media platforms X and Instagram, paying their respects to the 43-year-old and her illustrious career in the league.

The statement read, “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 Detroit Shock drafted Braxton as the number 7 pick in 2005. She played a key role in their two Championship-winning campaigns. Braxton’s WNBA career ended in 2014, as the New York Liberty waived her.

She earned the WNBA All-Star honors in 2007. She also earned the Chinese League MVP honor in 2010 and won two titles in Poland.

The 43-year-old leaves behind son Jelani Thurman, who has carried on her legacy in the sport of football. Jelani is a tight end and has already won the CFP National Championship with Ohio State before transferring to North Carolina in 2024.