DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons announced that the planned 20th anniversary celebration for the 2006 WNBA champion Detroit Shock, scheduled for the March 7 game against the Brooklyn Nets, has been postponed following the passing of Kara Braxton.
Braxton, 43, passed on Sunday (Feb. 22) following a car crash in Atlanta on Saturday.
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She won two championships with the Shock in 2006 and 2008 before finishing her career following a four-year stint with the New York Liberty in 2012.
A new date will be announced later in 2026.
Braxton was drafted by Detroit with the No. 7 pick in 2005, earning All-Rookie honors that season after the 6’6” center averaged 6.9 points and three rebounds that season.
She played half a season with the Tulsa Shock in 2010 before she was traded to the Phoenix Mercury.
Braxton played the first 18 games of the 2011 season with the Mercury before being traded to the Liberty, where she played until 2014, when she was waived after four games.
She was also the SEC Freshman of the Year for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs in 2002.
The University of Georgia, where she attended from 2002 to 2004, posted on X confirming her passing.
Rest in peace Kara 🕊️
— Georgia Basketball 🏀🐶 (@UGA_WBB) February 23, 2026
Georgia mourns the loss of former Lady Bulldog Kara Braxton, who played from 2002-04. pic.twitter.com/4bKYMzur4c
The Pistons initially announced they would honor the Shock team for its 20th anniversary on March 7, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena, but Braxton’s sudden passing has pushed the celebration.
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