We're all with you, Kyle

VALENCIA (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - The players and fans of Herbalife Gran Canaria in Spain's Liga Endesa will take on ICL Manresa today without one of their top players, Kyle Kuric.

The American sharpshooter's world has been turned upside in the past week.

After complaining of migraines, the native of Evansville, Indiana, missed last week's game at Laboral Kutxa in Vitoria and instead was taken to a hospital in Barcelona where doctors discovered a tumor in his brain.

Diagnosed with a meningioma, on Thursday Kuric underwent surgery at the Teknon Hospital in Barcelona.

The basketball world revealed itself this week to be a big family.

Kind words from all over reached the Kuric family.

Messages in the social media have been sent using the hashtag #wearewithyou.

Kuric's wife, Taraneh Momeni Kuric, wrote on her Facebook page how the best wishes from others were lifting her family's spirits.

"Thank you to everyone for all of the support," she wrote on Facebook.

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond... we've just been really numb and trying to digest what has hit us.

"Reading all your messages means more than you guys could imagine."

There were messages from numerous internationals, like Kuric's Gran Canaria teammates Kevin Pangos of Canada, Brad Newley of Australia and Eulis Baez of the Dominican Republic.

Messages of support have been heard back in Louisville, Kentucky, where Kuric proudly played American college basketball for coach Rick Pitino and the Cardinals.

Pitino, who coached Puerto Rico at the FIBA Americas Championship this summer and guided them to a fifth place finish and a spot in one of next year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, said in a statement:  "Our prayers and good wishes go out for a healthy and speedy recovery for Kyle.  

"He's one of the finest young men that I have had the privilege to coach and our Louisville family's prayers are with him."

Kuric admitted back in 2013 that it was a significant challenge to play basketball in a foreign land.

He was with Liga Endesa side Estudiantes at the time.

The 26-year-old husband and father has clearly won over the fans, including those at Gran Canaria.

I'd like to echo the universal sentiment, Kyle.

We are with you.

Jeff Taylor

FIBA

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