Even though WNBA free agents cannot be signed until February 1, the league has already experienced a significant addition.
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The Atlanta Dream announced on Tuesday that guard Bria Holmes will miss the 2018 season due to a pregnancy.
“Unfortunately, I will have to miss the 2018 season because I’m expecting but I plan to return to the Dream in 2019 stronger, healthier and ready to play,” Holmes said in a statement on Tuesday. “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. I’m so happy and thankful I can continue my career after my bundle of joy is here. To my coaches, teammates, staff, & fans I want to thank you so much for all your support and help since I was drafted in 2016 and wish everyone good luck this season – I’ll be cheering you all on! One Dream, One Team.”
.@BriaHolmes32 to Miss 2018 #AtlantaDream season due to pregnancy. Full story: https://t.co/ENX0lEgCTK #OneDream #WNBA pic.twitter.com/UNQ8DfBA63
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) January 16, 2018
Holmes finished her second season in Atlanta as a valuable member of the Dream’s rotation. Not only did she cut her turnover percentage to just 11.1 while rebounding extremely well for her size, she rated thirteenth in the league in defensive points per possession among 96 qualified players with at least 100 possessions, per Synergy.
“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. 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.”
“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,” Dream head coach Nicki Collen said. “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.”
In the meantime, Atlanta’s job in free agency just got even bigger.