Skip to content

Sager to receive stem cell transplant Wednesday, son says

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Craig Sager was forced to miss this summer's Olympic basketball broadcasts as he awaited the likelihood of a third bone marrow/stem cell transplant in his continuing fight against leukemia.

The good news: a donor has been found, and the longtime sideline reporter will undergo the procedure Wednesday, his son Craig Jr. tweeted Tuesday night.

Three stem cell transplants is rare for any patient. "Very rarely does somebody have a third," the broadcaster said in March. "So I have to maintain my strength, so I can go through this."

He remained in his positive, fighting mindset when he recently gave an update to the Atlanta Journal Constitution's I.J. Rosenberg from hospital before news of the transplant.

"I have met life's challenges by climbing the Great Wall of China (and) riding with the bulls in Pamplona," the 65-year-old said.

He added, "I have run the bases with Hank Aaron after (home run) No. 715, thrown out the first pitch at Wrigley Field, graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, and received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYs. I have covered eight Olympiads, dozens of Super Bowls, 24 Masters, and NBA games too numerous to count ... I continue to live life full of love and full of fun the only way I know how."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox