Atlanta Dream guard Bria Holmes will miss the 2018 season because of her pregnancy.
Holmes released a statement Tuesday explaining her coming absence, but said she looks forward to rejoining the team in 2019.
“As a female professional athlete, it is hard to start a family while playing year-round, but this little human inside of me is truly a blessing to me, my family and my boyfriend,” Holmes wrote in part. “I'm so happy and thankful I can continue my career after my bundle of joy is here.”
After she was drafted 11th overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft, Holmes averaged 7.6 points, 1.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 0.8 steals in her two seasons with the Dream.
Dream coach Nicki Collen said she was disappointed that Holmes will not be available to play during Collen’s first season as head coach, but she expects Holmes to return in 2019.
“While I am certainly disappointed Bria won’t be in a Dream uniform this summer, as a mother of three, I also wish to congratulate her on starting her own family,” Collen said in a statement. “This league is about celebrating the female athlete and everything that it entails. Bria is a big part of the Dream family, and we will welcome her back in 2019.”
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