MORGANTOWN — Former WVU women’s basketball star Bria Holmes is pregnant and will miss the 2018 WNBA season.
“I plan to return to the Dream in 2019 stronger, healthier and ready to play,” Holmes said in a statement, released Jan. 16.
“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.”
The 6-foot-1 forward was drafted 11th overall by the Atlanta Dream, in 2016. She averaged 7.6 points and 2.7 rebounds during her first two seasons in the league.
She played in Poland this offseason for CCC Polowice.
“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 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.”
Holmes scored 2,001 points during her WVU career. She became the first Mountaineers player to surpass 500 points in three consecutive seasons and ranks in the school’s top 10 in 14 statistical categories.
