The most challenging decision Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling faced during her career as an NBA referee turned out to be her retirement announcement. Holtkamp-Sterling, who made history as the third female full-time referee in the NBA when she joined the league’s officiating staff in 2014, has chosen to step away from her role due to medical concerns. After enduring chronic knee problems, including three ACL tears—one occurring during her time as an NBA official—her participation dwindled to just 15 games last season. Ultimately, she concluded that prioritizing her long-term health was essential.
“My decision to retire is entirely based on my knees,” Holtkamp-Sterling explained. “It’s genuinely disheartening to face physical limits. It’s tempting to think that every problem has a solution, but my knees reached a point where the wear and tear made it clear that I couldn’t turn back the clock on them.”
Prior to Holtkamp-Sterling’s entry into the league, women officiating in the NBA were quite rare, with only Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer having previously held those roles. Today, the landscape has changed significantly, as there are now seven additional female full-time referees including Danielle Scott, Natalie Sago, Jenna Schroeder, Dannica Mosher, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Sha’Rae Mitchell, and Simone Jelks. This number is expected to continue increasing in the coming years.
Although Holtkamp-Sterling wasn’t the very first woman in this profession, she undoubtedly made it easier for others to follow in her footsteps. “In some ways, it feels surreal to reflect on my journey and recognize how fortunate I was to participate in a movement that was already underway,” she noted. “The NBA’s dedication to promoting social justice and advancing the sport in meaningful ways began long before I arrived and will undoubtedly continue long after.”
Monty McCutchen, the NBA’s vice president in charge of officiating, praised Holtkamp-Sterling, stating that she was an outstanding referee and had a bright future ahead. He emphasized that while she was not the first woman in the role, her contributions helped dismantle obstacles that made it possible for more individuals to envision themselves thriving in this arena. “Lauren excelled in this role with grace and dignity, breaking down barriers is challenging and she always managed that added pressure exceptionally well,” he remarked. “Historically speaking, Lauren will be recognized as a significant figure in the evolution of NBA officiating.”
Holtkamp-Sterling made history by being the first mother to officiate an NBA game. She and her husband, fellow NBA referee Jonathan Sterling, welcomed their child in 2019, and she returned to officiating shortly thereafter.
Her impressive rise to the NBA occurred relatively quickly; she was promoted to full-time status just a decade after first officiating a middle school game. Now, Holtkamp-Sterling is transitioning to a new professional path—she aims to become a mental health professional. “I plan to draw from my experiences over the past 16-plus years in the D League, WNBA, and NBA, as well as my personal growth throughout those leagues,” she expressed. “I’m eager to begin this new chapter in my life.”