Former U.S. soccer star Lauren Holiday has been diagnosed with a brain tumor while pregnant with her first child.
Now
her husband, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, is taking
indefinite leave from the NBA club to care for his wife, the Pelicans
said on Sunday.
'We
are all praying for a healthy delivery of their first child and a
successful surgery for Lauren,' Pelicans general manager Dell Demps said
in a prepared statement provided by the club.
'Furthermore, we ask everyone to respect the Holidays' privacy at this time.'
Former U.S. soccer star Lauren Holiday
(pictured with her husband on their wedding day) has been diagnosed
with a brain tumor while pregnant with her first child
Lauren's husband, New Orleans Pelicans
guard Jrue Holiday (pictured with her) is taking indefinite leave from
the NBA club to care for his wife, the Pelicans said on Sunday
Lauren Holiday (pictured) was among
the world's most respected players in the women's game during a career
highlighted by Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team in 2008
and 2012, and FIFA World Cup title in 2015
Lauren
Holiday, who retired from soccer last year, was among the world's most
respected players during a career highlighted by Olympic gold medals
with the U.S. national team in 2008 and 2012, and FIFA World Cup title
in 2015.
The 28-year-old midfielder played in 133 games for the U.S. team, scoring 24 goals.
She also played professionally in the NWSL, winning a championship with FC Kansas City in 2015.
Lauren Holiday met Jrue at UCLA, where she played soccer and he played basketball.
Jrue Holiday, 26, has been with New Orleans the past three seasons, but has spent most of that stint injured.
He
expects to return this season in full health, and the Pelicans see him
as a core player along with All-Star forward Anthony Davis.
Jrue and Lauren (pictured on their
wedding day) are expecting their first child, due in mid-October.
Lauren's surgery has been scheduled after the birth of the baby
In the interest of the health of both
mother and baby, Lauren (pictured with Jrue during their wedding) will
undergo brain surgery about six weeks after delivery
The couple (pictured on their wedding
day) are still 'very excited' about the birth of their first child, but
their focus has shifted to making sure Lauren and the baby remain
healthy, Jrue said
Jrue (pictured with Lauren in an
engagement photo) will be a primary caretaker for both his wife and
their daughter after Lauren's surgery
Lauren Holiday, who retired from soccer last year, was among the world's most respected players
Holiday's career was highlighted by
Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team in 2008 and 2012, and
FIFA World Cup title in 2015
Lauren and Jrue Holiday pictured above. Lauren met Jrue at UCLA, where she played soccer and he played basketball
Jrue
Holiday, 26, (pictured left and right) has been with New Orleans the
past three seasons, but has spent most of that stint injured
'The
most important thing for Jrue to do right now is be with his wife and
family,' Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said in a statement.
'Every
one of our coaches and players understands what Lauren and Jrue are
going through, and they know we're behind them 100 per cent.
'We'll continue to do everything we can to support them and help them get through these hard times.'
We encourage Jrue to take as much time as he needs to be with his wife and family before returning to the Pelicans
Pelicans general manager Dell Demps
In an interview with the Times-Picayune/NOLA.com,
which first reported Lauren Holiday's condition and Jrue Holiday's plan
to take leave, Jrue Holiday said Lauren was diagnosed with a benign,
operable tumor on the right side of her brain.
The
Pelicans have suggested that Holiday, whose salary is thought to be
around $11million a year, will continue to be paid during his absence.
The team is planning to send a trainer to North Carolina to help him maintain his fitness and basketball skills during his absence.
Demps
added: 'We encourage Jrue to take as much time as he needs to be with
his wife and family before returning to the Pelicans.
