Basketball Broadcast Legend Craig Sager, 65

(ATR) Broadcaster Craig Sager is remembered as a one of a kind professional by colleagues and the basketball world.

Sager died December 15 in Atlanta where he's lived for 30+ years.

Famous for his often outlandish and colorful sport coats, Sager was equally renowned for his knowledge of basketball. The consummate courtside reporter spent 20 years covering the NBA for Atlanta-based TBS.

"I just like bright colors," is how he typically explained his fashion sense.

He covered the sidelines of the Olympic tournaments in Beijing and London for NBC. He was planning to be in Rio for the 2016 Games, but his illness intervened. A week before the Olympics, Sager headed into the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas for his third bone marrow transplant.

Sager told the Houston Chronicle at the time that he wanted to delay the treatment until after the Olympics.

"My body isn’t getting stronger, so they want to do it while I’m strong enough. Third transplants are kind of rare, so hopefully we will get it done and I’ll be ready in time for (NBA) opening night," he was quoted by the newspaper.

Sager revealed his leukemia had returned in March, but continued working through the NBA season, despite chemotherapy. He was first diagnosed in 2014. His battle against the disease with humor and courage was recognized this year with the Jimmy V award at the ESPYs.

Sager, who began work with Turner in 1981 as a sportscaster for newly-hatched CNN has reported from dozens of international sports events for the company. His work includes the Goodwill Games, Pan American Games, and 1990 FIFA World Cup. Sager also called Nordic skiing and curling for TNT coverage of the 1992 Winter Olympics.

"Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us. There will never be another Craig Sager. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports," says Turner President David Levy in a statement.

"While he will be remembered fondly for his colorful attire and the TNT sideline interviews he conducted with NBA coaches and players, it’s the determination, grace and will to live he displayed during his battle with cancer that will be his lasting impact. Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig’s wife, Stacy, and the entire Sager family during this difficult time. We will forever be Sager Strong."

Sager has five children. He was born in Illinois and graduated from Northwestern University where he prowled the sidelines as the costumed WIldcat mascot for the school.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has called for a minute of silence at league games.

"Craig was as vital to the NBA as the players and coaches. A true original and an essential voice on Turner Sports’ NBA coverage for 26 seasons, Craig chronicled some of the most memorable moments in league history and was a ubiquitous presence with his splashy suits and equally colorful personality. Craig earned widespread respect for his insightful reporting and inspired so many most recently with his courage," Silver said in a statement.

Here is a video tribute to Sager produced by Turner.

Written by Ed Hula.

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