Veteran Turner Sports reporter Craig Sager died Thursday after a long battle with leukemia at 65, the network said Thursday.

Sager had been a fixture at Turner Sports for more than 30 years, mostly as a sideline reporter for TNT's National Basketball Association telecasts. Known for his outlandish and colorful outfits, Sager this past July at the ESPY Awards was awarded the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award, given to someone is sports who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination.

Turner Sports president David Levy said of Sager in a statement:

“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. 

“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.”

Craig Sager's ESPYS Speech

Turner sportscaster Craig Sager, who is battling cancer,  is on the May 2 cover of Sports Illustrated.

In the story, Sager’s positive outlook is described, along with facts about his long career as a sideline reporter covering NBA games.

The story features NBA stars LeBron James and Chris Paul, along with TNT teammate Ernie Johnson talking about how Sager is regarded. Following are some highlights from the story:

Sager on staying strong: “I don’t like to complain. I don’t want people to go, ‘Look what happened to Sager, that’s so sad, that’s not the guy I knew.’ Then they won’t come see me.”

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron Jameson seeing Sager on the sidelines of his games: “Whenever Craig Sager is covering your game, you know it’s a big one. But when I look over and see him covering our game right now. . . Talking about it makes me sentimental.”

Read more at broadcastingcable.com.