Robin Roberts by Ida Mae Astute/ABC
Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts will receive the 2008 WNBA Inspiration Award next month, the league announced Monday. Roberts, 47, who is currently undergoing treatment from breast cancer, will be honored July 30 in San Francisco. Since 2006 the award has been given to "an individual who inspires others through her commitment and dedication to work, family and community."
“Through her extraordinary leadership in the news industry as GMA’s co-anchor, to her humanitarian efforts in helping Hurricane Katrina victims to her courageous public battle with breast cancer, her integrity and passion continues to inspire millions of young girls," WNBA commissioner Donna Orender said in a statement.
Prior to landing the full-time gig at GMA in 2005, Roberts was a longtime ESPN contributor, anchoring SportsCenter and covering, among other things, the NFL, NCAA basketball and, of course, the WNBA. Her connection to the game goes back to her playing days, including at her alma mater, Southeastern Louisiana University.
Due to the WNBA's monthlong season break for the Olympics, the league is skipping its All-Star game this year. Instead, they will host a series of send-off events for the Olympic team (which is made up of WNBA players) in the Bay Area the week of July 28.
Previous winners of the Inspiration Award are Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (2007) and the WNBA All-Decade Team (2006).
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