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WNBA star Candace Parker and actress Issa Rae presented the award to Roberts, who received a blazer that is a replica of the one worn by Sager when he accepted the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2016 ESPYs.

\"I'm honored and I'm grateful for this recognition,\" Roberts said. \"Courage, faith, compassion and grace are a perfect description of Craig Sager. The only time that I am at a loss for words when it comes to Craig ... his wardrobe. I cannot wait to wear this on the air.\"

\"I'll wear it proudly,\" she added.

\"PHOTO:
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
PHOTO: Robin Roberts accepts the Sager Strong Award during the 2019 NBA Awards on June 24, 2019, in Santa Monica, Calif.
>

Roberts also talked about Sager's courage, citing his \"unwavering faith\" and noting that his compassion and grace are qualities \"we should all strive for in our lives.\"

Backstage, Roberts got emotional about the honor, saying she doesn't \"take awards lightly.\"

\"I'm just a little girl who grew up in Mississippi,\" she said. \"I know my mom and dad, they just wanted their children to be respected. They wanted us to work hard and earn whatever came our way.\"

\"PHOTO:
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
PHOTO: Robin Roberts accepts the Sager strong award at the NBA Awards on June 24, 2019, in Santa Monica, Calif. Looking on from second right are Issa Rae and Candace Parker.
>

Shaquille O'Neal, the host of this year's NBA Awards, also praised Roberts, who has used her experience with MDS to become an advocate for bone marrow donation.

\"She's never given up, and every time she comes back, she come back younger looking,\" O'Neal said.

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