WASHINGTON, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The NBA announced on Tuesday that Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo will be the recipient of this year's Sager Strong Award.

The Sager Strong Award, named after iconic sports reporter Craig Sager, is presented annually to an individual who has been a trailblazer and exemplifies courage, faith, compassion and grace.

The award is bestowed upon the recipient in the form of a colorful suit jacket, a replica of the one worn by Sager during his unforgettable "Time is simply how you live your life" speech in 2016.

Mutombo is one of basketball's most respected defensive players and rebounders. The Houston Rockets star is also well regarded beyond the game for his humanitarian work around the world.

In 2009, Mutombo was named a global ambassador for the NBA by former commissioner David Stern.