Turner Sports Reporter Craig Sager Diagnosed With Leukemia, Says Son

The sports world received sad news about its most colorful personality on Thursday night, when Craig Sager‘s son revealed that the Turner Sports reporter has been diagnosed with leukemia. 

Sager, 62, has been famous for his bright suits and bubbly personality while commentating courtside at college and NBA basketball games for the past two decades, along with covering football, golf, baseball and horse racing. 

PHOTOS: Craig Sager’s Rainbow of Courtside Clothes

According to his son, Craig Sager II, the veteran sportscaster will begin two to three weeks of treatment for acute leukemia on Friday. 

My Dad’s 3-4-week acute leukemia treatment starts tmrw.Be thinking of him & let’s get him back on the sidelines soon pic.twitter.com/5CNI55p2Gx

— Craig Sager II (@CraigSagerJr) April 17, 2014

He went on to say that the doctors initially told the family that Sager was leukemia-free on Tuesday and then “apologized and hit us with the gut check yesterday.” 

STORY: Craig Sager on His March Madness Style

Sager has been covering the NBA for nearly 20 years and broadcasting sports nationally since 1981, but is now sadly expected to miss the NBA playoffs, which begin on Saturday.

The news prompted an outpouring of support from sports personalities, who sent heartfelt messages on Twitter.

Former Los Angeles Clippers player Baron Davis sent “prayers and positive energy.”

Sending prayers and positive energy to the great @TNT_CraigSager .. You will be miss in these playoffs!! #getwellsoon #ThoseJacketstho

— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) April 18, 2014

ESPN personality Keith Olbermann remembered his TBS colleague from 1981 with the hashtag: #LeukemiaPickedTheWrongOpponent.

The latest on Craig Sager of Turner Sports, my colleague since 1981: http://t.co/mLg7xjo5Tm #LeukemiaPickedTheWrongOpponent

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) April 18, 2014

While Los Angeles Laker Steve Nash wished Sager a “speedy recovery.”

Sending my friend @TNT_CraigSager positive vibes this morning for a speedy recovery! Get well soon buddy.

— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) April 18, 2014