Having a loved one with experience in high-level sport is a real plus for an athlete. Jrue Holiday He has two brothers in the NBA and his wife, Lauren Holiday, is a two-time Olympic champion and even won a football World Cup with the USA. Just that !
“My wife is the real winner in our family, which I’m not sure people know”, reveals Jrue Holiday to The Athletic. “I had the opportunity to see one of the best teams, one of the best players at their peak, not achieve the desired goal (in 2011, the Americans lost on penalties in the World Cup final). The way she reacted, it made her even hungrier. In 2012, she won the Olympic gold medal, then she won the 2015 World Cup and retired. Seeing her competitive nature, seeing how she bounced back, when people don't really know she's like that, I think having her by my side at home, seeing her firsthand, it was a big help to me. help. »
A behind-the-scenes influence
Lauren Holiday is a real support for her husband and she (also) left her mark on the Bucks, during her husband's visit to Wisconsin, between 2020 and 2023.
” One does not go without the other. I don’t think of Jrue without thinking of Lauren” says former Bucks assistant Chad Forcier. “They’re just two of my favorite people to meet, on a human level. Those who meet Jrue and Lauren are always reassured about life and humanity in the process. »
The kind of people who leave an indelible mark in the memories of players and coaches.
“We were just talking about life”recalls Giannis Antetokounmpo about a night in Abu Dhabi for the NBA Global Games in 2022. “He was really open about how they handled certain things and how they could help us not handle those things. They had such great advice for me, my career and my life going forward. »
Donte DiVincenzo's other advisor
Lauren Holiday is thus very involved with her husband (as illustrated by her Instagram post after Jrue's transfer), and vice versa. Eight years ago, the Boston leader did not hesitate to put his career on hold when his wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The Holiday couple is also very involved in the social life of the cities where Jrue and Lauren have passed.
But the role of the Holiday couple does not end there. When Donte DiVincenzo tested free agency, he sought advice from his mentors.
“Everyone talked about Steph (Curry)'s influence, but Lauren had an important voice”insists Donte DiVincenzo. “She is very respected by her closest friends because she is an athlete, she understands everything and she has been there. »
So, when Donte DiVincenzo was hesitant about joining the Knicks in the summer of 2023, it was Lauren Holiday who made the decision.
“ Donte called Jrue at midnight and we were in bed. I just said: 'He has to accept the contract'”remembers Lauren Holiday. “Jrue said, 'My wife spoke…'”
