Craig Sager to Receive Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at 2016 ESPYs
Veteran Turner Sports sideline reporter Craig Sager will receive the 2016 ESPYs' Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
The ESPYs' official Twitter feed announced the news Tuesday. The NBA on TNT captured Sager's comments and reaction to receiving the award:
Sager was originally diagnosed with leukemia in April 2014. In March, he announced on HBO's Real Sports (via SI.com's Ben Gollier) the cancer was no longer in remission.
The Jimmy V Award is named for former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano, who died of bone cancer approximately two months after giving an inspirational speech at the 1993 ESPYs.
This year's ESPYs are slated for Wednesday, July 13, and WWE star John Cena will host the show.
Sager, 64, has taken time off for cancer treatments but has continued working when possible. He is currently covering the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors.
The TNT crew wore "Sager Strong" socks on Tuesday for Game 4 coverage of the Thunder-Warriors series in Oklahoma City.
Sager has been covering basketball for Turner Sports for over two decades. His experience also includes MLB postseason coverage, major golf, college football and other international sports including the Goodwill Games.
