Multi-Sport Standout Dr. Charelle Braden Selected for Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame

Dr. Charelle Braden, a 2003 graduate of Napa High School who excelled as a varsity basketball scorer and helped pioneer the campus girls golf program, will be inducted into the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Selected by the school's athletic recognition committee as part of its 28th annual induction class, Braden left a lasting legacy across Napa County high school sports before pursuing a healthcare career. Reflecting on the call from selection officials, Braden said the honor caught her off guard and called it a very humbling experience.

During her four-year varsity basketball career with the Grizzlies, Braden earned All-Napa County honors three times and served as a primary offensive catalyst in the Monticello Empire League. In her senior campaign during the 2002-03 season, she scored over 400 total points and averaged 13.8 points per game while anchoring the perimeter defense. Beyond basketball, Braden was a three-year varsity golfer who helped establish Napa High School's inaugural girls golf team when the athletic department previously fielded only a boys team.

Now a practicing dentist with her own clinical practice, Braden recently relocated back to Northern California after spending seven years practicing dentistry in San Diego. Coaches and athletic administrators across the Napa Valley Unified School District noted that Braden's commitment to competitive athletics and academic preparation exemplifies student-athlete leadership. Her advocacy for girls varsity golf paved the way for female golfers across Napa, Yountville, and neighboring North Bay communities to compete for league titles.

The 28th annual Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 24, at the Napa Elks Lodge at 2840 Soscol Avenue in Napa. Festivities will commence with a cocktail hour at 5:00 PM, followed by a formal banquet dinner and plaque presentation program at 6:00 PM. Proceeds from the dinner support athletic department equipment grants, facility upgrades, and student scholarship funds administered by the booster board.

Alumni, family members, and Napa Valley sports supporters can inquire about banquet ticket availability and program sponsorships through the Napa High School athletic office at napahigh.nvusd.org or by calling (707) 253-3711. Inductees from the 28th annual class will also be recognized by school district officials during pre-game ceremonies at Memorial Stadium earlier in the weekend. Permanent bronze plaques honoring the 2026 Hall of Fame class will be installed inside the campus gymnasium lobby.