CRAIG’S COURT

PediDome space at MD Anderson’s Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, inspires young patients to ‘never give up’

Craig’s legacy lives on at Craig’s Court at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.

In 2017, in memory of Craig, on the first anniversary of his death, the MD Anderson Center Center hosted a ceremony and dedicated the space, respectfully now called “Craig’s Court” at the Hoglund Foundation PediDome, an indoor space, complete with a basketball hoop where young patients can spend time playing the sport while undergoing cancer treatment.

Sager’s MD Anderson doctors Muzaffar Qazilbash, M.D., (in the photo above, far left), and Naveen Pemmaraju, M.D., (in the photo, far right), celebrate the moment with Sager’s children Riley and Ryan; his wife, Stacy; and Peter Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson.

The event preceded a Houston Rockets-San Antonio Spurs game, where $80,000 was raised for the Sager Strong Foundation, which supports acute myeloid leukemia (AML) research at MD Anderson.

For 25 years, Sager covered sports for multiple media outlets including CNN, TBS and TNT. Best known for his role as a sideline reporter for the NBA and his collection of bright and colorfully garnished suits and jackets, Sager developed a passion for finding a cure for AML when he was diagnosed in 2014. In July 2016, Sager accepted the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at ESPN’s annual ESPYs awards show, vowing he would never give up. He shared his determination with some 2,000 supporters at MD Anderson’s 75th anniversary celebration in November 2016. In December 2016, he was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.