Michael Cooper Diagnosed With Tongue Cancer

Atlanta Dream coach, Michael Cooper, has taken a leave of absence from the WNBA team after being diagnosed with an early stage tounge cancer, WNBA.com reported.

The team announced on Monday that the 58-year-old coach will undergo surgery at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta this week. It was also revealed that he is expected to make a full recovery after the treatment.

Though the announcement did not give additional details on Cooper's current condition, it noted that the coach will be given the best treatment possible.

AP Sports stated that Atlanta Dream assistant coach, Karleen Thompson, will temporarily take Cooper's place while the head coach is recovering.

''I'm fortunate that my condition was diagnosed early, and this episode illustrates the importance of screening and early detection. I know the team will be in good hands with coach Thompson at the helm during my absence, and I look forward to returning to the court soon," Cooper told AP Sports.

He added that he is "in good hands" and that the doctors and staff at Emory "have been tremendous" in dealing with his condition and treatment.

Cooper was a basketball player before he became a coach. He was drafted by the Lakers in 1978 and stayed with the team during his entire cager career. His defensive play as a shooting guard helped the Lakers win five NBA titles, AP Sports revealed.

When he retired, he served as an assistant to the Lakers and became head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks, Lakers Nation added.

The coach's winning streak isn't over yet. According to WNBA.com, "Cooper has led the Dream to a 15-6 record and a first-place standing in the Eastern Conference in his first season leading the Dream. The two-time WNBA Champion head coach has the Dream in contention for its first Eastern Conference regular-season title in team history, as the team holds a five-game lead with 13 games remaining."

The Dream will be facing the Chicago Sky on Friday in Atlanta.