Craig Sager’s triumphant return to the basketball sidelines from a bout with Leukemia early last March was short lived. Just a few weeks after he reported on NBA action for the first time in nearly a full calendar year, the 64-year-old announced that his cancer had returned.
But today, less than six months after his recurrence, Sager says he expects to be back to work for tip-off of the 2015-16 season – and will certainly report from the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games next summer. Courtesy of click2houston.com’s Haley Hernandez:
“I said, ‘The NBA season starts Oct. 27, what are my chances?’ He goes, ‘Oh they’re good!'” the elder Sager said of the conversation he had with his MD Anderson doctor. “I said one more, ‘What about the Olympics next summer in Rio?’ He said, ‘No brainer! I said yes! Yes!'”
Without any unforeseen setbacks, the elder Sager said he vows to see you on TV again for the start of the NBA season.
“I’ve got the greatest job in the world. It’s not like I’m out in the sun digging ditches. I’m going to the greatest sporting events in the world,” he said, denying he has any plans to retire.
Sager was admitted to Houston’s M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in May. He received a stem cell transplant from his son, Craig, Jr., two months later.
Known as much for his zany fashion sense as unmatched poise and acumen on broadcasts, Sager was sorely missed throughout the 2014-15 season – a reality evidenced by the outpour of support his direction from not just basketball’s fans, but its teams, players, and coaches, too.
We’ll certainly be thrilled to see him back on the court where he belongs. Health is obviously the most important thing for Sager, though, and it seems his ceaseless courage and bravery has him well on the road to a full recovery. Congratulations, Craig!
[Via click2houston]
