New Orlean Pelicans will begin this season without its point guard Jrue Holiday. He is reported to take a leave to care for his pregnant wife, former soccer star Lauren Holiday, who is diagnosed with brain tumor.
Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday took an indefinite leave from NBA to care for his pregnant wife, Lauren, who was diagnosed with brain tumor. According to SLAM, Lauren, will have brain surgery to remove a tumor shortly after the birth of their child in October.
Lauren was a soccer star and member of US Women's National Team. She won gold medal with US National Team in two Olympic Games, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. She was the MVP in 2014's National Women's Soccer League before she retired.
Earlier this year, she started to have a painful headaches. After an MRI, according to NOLA.com, doctors discovered an operable tumor on the right side of her brain. She was six month pregnants at that time, and the tumor was not a threat to either her and her baby.
Following the diagnoses, the Holidays were very shocked. They sought second opinions from two hospitals, Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles and Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. Neurologist in LA and neurosurgeon in Durham confirmed initial diagnosis.
Jrue said that his family is more important than basketball. Therefore, he choose to be by her side as she will undego surgery to remove the tumor.
"Obviously, we were and are still very excited about the birth of our first child, but our focus shifted from having this magnificent blessing to making sure everything is going to be OK with Lauren and the child," Jrue said. "Our priorities right now are being able to manage Lauren's symptoms and still have a fairly healthy pregnancy."
Jrue met his wife when he played for UCLA Bruins basketball team during his only season in UCLA. While Lauren was the member of the UCLA women's soccer team. They got married in July 2013.