Legendary reporter Craig Sager dies: Reactions, tributes

Craig Sager, the NBA's cheerful sideline reporter who was known for his dazzling outfits, lost his battle with cancer Thursday and was pronounced dead in Atlanta, per reports. He was 65.

Sager, who appeared in NBA games for over 40 years, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2014 but continued to work for Turner Broadcasting Corporation (TNT)

The colourful character received multiple blood transfusions to be strong enough to travel to games and made his final on-air appearance during the NBA Finals in June before cancelling plans to work for the Rio Olympics in August. Sager was admitted back into the hospital in Nov. 2016 after his condition worsened.

The sports world is coming to grips with the death of Sager, who had earned the adulation of players, coaches, fans and fellow broadcasters for his work both on and off the court.

Turner Sports released a statement to confirm Sager’s demise. "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," president David Levy said.

Craig Sager: A true original

Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, said the league would never be the same again. "I -- along with the entire NBA family -- am deeply saddened by the passing of Craig Sager. 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 colourful personality."

Earlier this year, Sager was honoured at the ESPYs for his positive attitude towards the illness. Wearing a floral print jacket, Sager delivered a moving speech that's talked about until this day. “Whatever I might have imagined a terminal diagnosis would do to my spirit, it summoned quite the opposite — the greatest appreciation for life itself. So, I will never give up, and I will never give in.”

Here are some tributes from the sports world: