Season Reflection: Kara Braxton

By Ros Gold-Onwude

Liberty Center Kara Braxton averaged 6.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and led the team in field goal percentage at 48% in 15.7 minutes per game this season. Braxton saw increased minutes in the second half of the season after being moved into the starting lineup for good on September 1st. Braxton's size and strength make her tough to deal with in the paint. However, where she proved to be especially dangerous was on the move. Liberty head coach John Whisenant described Braxton as "one of the most athletic posts in the league". Braxton helped New York play up-tempo basketball by running her lane for layups, often being on the receiving end of run-outs and fast breaks. She also showed agility in the half court set moving without the ball. Braxton has a knack for positioning and creating angles for guards to pass in to her. She also uses good body control, agility, and her eight years of experience to gain position and box opponents out on defense. Looking towards next season, Coach Whisenant has mentioned areas for her improvement. Braxton has shown many strengths and Whisenant wants to see her display her talents with more consistency over the course of the season. He also hopes to see Braxton in even better conditioning shape in order for her to improve from playing in shorter spurts to getting a heavier share of minutes.

Post Season Chat with Kara:

What's next for you?
I will go overseas. Perhaps to play in Russia. I'm leaving New York in about a day or two- it moves quickly.

What grade would you give yourself this season?
It was an up and down year for the team and me. I would say a C+. I think in the beginning I came out strong. The ups and downs were a combination of things. When people were injured it gave me an even bigger opportunity, but as players came back in and out of the rotation with different injuries it was hard to find a flow. I would come in and out of the starting lineup, and sometimes my confidence went up and down through the season too. But I never gave up. I came back as hard as I could in the second half of the season.

What did you find out about yourself this season?
I found out a lot about myself. I got back to remembering the old Kara. I got my confidence back. I remembered and showed myself that I can play with any girl, any day, in the WNBA. I know I helped the team in the second half of the season- it was a personal journey too.

As you get ready for your overseas season, what will you miss most?
The girls. The team. We have a great connection. We got along, we hung out, we spend a lot of time with each other. We call ourselves a "band of sisters". I'll definitely miss them.

What's your message to the fans?
(Says slowly) Beware of the 2013 New York Liberty.

What's that mean?
I'm coming back focused next year. Our team's going to come back stronger and with even more weapons.