Two-time WNBA champion and former UGA player killed in Atlanta crash
A WNBA veteran, two-time champion and former University of Georgia Bulldog Kara Braxton died in Atlanta over the weekend.
She was 43 years old.
Cobb County police said Braxton was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Atlanta's I-285 on the evening of Feb. 21. Braxton "failed to maintain her lane" before colliding with a median on the left shoulder.
Her death was confirmed by the WNBA on Feb. 22 with a statement on social media.
"It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton," the organization said. "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."
Kara Braxton joins the Bulldogs
Georgia Basketball said they are mourning the "loss of former Lady Bulldog Kara Braxton, who played from 2002-2004," in a Feb. 22 post on X.
The 6 foot, 6 inch tall forward-center came to Athens from Jackson, Michigan and went on to win SEC Rookie of the Year, SEC All-Freshmen and All-SEC.
Braxton had a career 71 games, averaging 15.4 points a game. She was drafted in 2005 as the 7th overall pick to the Detroit Shock.
Braxton becomes two-time WNBA Champion
Braxton was named to the All-Rookie team in 2005, and went on to play five seasons with the Detroit Shock. She played one season with EAST, one season with Tulsa Shock, two seasons with Phoenix Mercury and four seasons with New York Liberty. She was waived from the New York Liberty in 2014, and worked with Nike before moving to Atlanta.
Braxton won the WNBA Championship twice with the Detroit Shock, first in 2006 and then again in 2008.
In 2023, Braxton came back to the University of Georgia to complete her degree.
"It has always been a goal of mine to come back and finish school, and finish what I started," Braxton said in an interview with The Frierson Files. "It's a very exciting time for me right now."
Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kara Braxton, a former WNBA champion, killed in Atlanta crash at 43
Oscar Piastri’s road to F1 2026: In pictures
With McLaren returning to consistent frontrunning form and a new regulation cycle reshaping Formula 1 in 2026, Oscar Piastri enters the season as one of the sport’s most composed young race winners.
Recognized early for his technical discipline and racecraft, the Australian rose rapidly through the junior ranks before navigating one of F1’s most public contract disputes, but he's now well-established at McLaren. 2026 represents the next defining chapter of Piastri’s rapidly rising career.
1. Born in Melbourne
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, 2026 F1 Pre-Season testing
Year: 2001
Born on 6 April 2001 in Melbourne, Australia, Piastri developed through domestic competition before committing to a European racing pathway.
2. European single-seater move
Oscar Piastri, TRS Arden
Years: 2017-2019
Relocating to Europe to pursue professional development, Piastri entered British F4 and began establishing himself in single-seater competition, quickly advancing to Formula Renault Eurocup.
3. Formula Renault Eurocup champion
Oscar Piastri, R-ace GP
Year: 2019
Piastri claimed the Formula Renault Eurocup title, marking his first major international championship success and confirming his long-term F1 potential.
4. FIA Formula 3 champion as a rookie
Oscar Piastri, Prema Racing
Year: 2020
In his debut F3 season, Piastri won the championship at the first attempt, emerging as one of the category’s standout young drivers.
5. Formula 2 champion as a rookie
Oscar Piastri, Prema Racing
Year: 2021
Back-to-back titles: Piastri secured the Formula 2 championship in his rookie season, joining a select group to win F3 and F2 consecutively.
6. Rookie of the Year recognition
Oscar Piastri, Johnny Herbert
Year: 2021
Following multiple standout drives, Piastri earned Rookie of the Year at the Autosport Awards.
7. Alpine Academy & reserve role
Oscar Piastri, Alpine F1
Year: 2022
After his junior titles, Piastri served as Alpine’s reserve driver, positioning him for a Formula 1 debut while gaining simulator and test experience.
8. Contract Recognition Board decision
Oscar Piastri
Year: 2022
A highly public contract dispute between Alpine and McLaren concluded with Formula 1’s Contract Recognition Board ruling in Piastri’s favour, confirming his McLaren deal.
9. Formula 1 debut with McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Years: 2022-2023
Piastri made his F1 debut with McLaren, stepping into a rebuilding team alongside Lando Norris.
10. First F1 points
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-23, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60, Esteban Ocon, Alpine A523
Year: 2023
At his home race in Melbourne, Piastri took his first F1 points.
11. Sprint breakthrough
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60
Year: 2023
A standout Qatar sprint race performance delivered Piastri his first top-three result in F1 during his rookie campaign.
12. First grand prix podium
Lando Norris, McLaren, Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren
Year: 2023
At Suzuka, Piastri claimed third place, his first F1 podium, as McLaren’s mid-season upgrade package transformed its competitiveness.
13. First F1 victory
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Year: 2024
Piastri captured his first grand prix win at the Hungarian Grand Prix, converting frontrunning pace into a breakthrough victory in his second F1 season.
14. McLaren’s frontrunning era
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Years: 2024–2025
With McLaren consistently competing at the front, Piastri developed into a regular podium finisher and race winner within a renewed constructors’ challenge, delivering the papaya team back-to-back constructors’ championships in 2024-2025.
15. Emerging world drivers’ championship contender
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren
Years: 2024–2025
As McLaren’s car performance strengthened, Piastri positioned himself among the sport’s next generation of title contenders. He finished the 2025 season with 7 wins and 13 podiums, both F1 records for Australian drivers.
16. Entering the 2026 regulation reset
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Year: 2026
With multiple seasons of experience and race victories secured, Piastri enters the new technical era as one of F1’s most composed young drivers.
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