George Raveling

George Raveling, a pioneering basketball coach who encouraged Michael Jordan to sign a legendary marketing deal with Nike, died September 1, 2025, of cancer at the age of 88.

Raveling is remembered as a groundbreaking college basketball coach and influential leader who became the first Black head coach in the Pacific-8 Conference. He guided teams at Washington State, the University of Iowa, and the University of Southern California, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. He became a widely respected figure for his integrity, mentorship, and advocacy within basketball and beyond.

Born June 27, 1937, in Washington, D.C., Raveling attended St. Michael's School in Hoban Heights, Pennsylvania, before enrolling at Villanova University. At Villanova, he was a standout basketball player and helped his team to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA's National Invitation Tournament. Following college, he began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater.

Raveling's head coaching career began in 1972 at Washington State University, where he guided the Cougars to two NCAA tournament appearances. He later led programs at the University of Iowa and the University of Southern California, developing reputations for discipline, defensive intensity, and recruiting acumen. His years of college coaching were honored with his 2013 induction into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

In 1984 and 1988, Raveling was an assistant coach for the U.S. men's Olympic basketball teams, coaching players including a young Michael Jordan on the 1984 squad. He became a mentor to Jordan and encouraged him to sign a marketing deal with Nike. This marketing deal became historic, leading to the creation of the groundbreaking Air Jordan line. Jordan later wrote, "If not for George, there would be no Air Jordan."

In addition to his coaching achievements, Raveling played a historic role outside basketball. As a young man, he volunteered as a security marshal at the 1963 March on Washington. After Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, King entrusted him with the original typewritten copy of the address, which Raveling preserved throughout his life. He donated it to Villanova University, and it is now displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Following his retirement from coaching, Raveling became Director of International Basketball for Nike. In that role, he helped globalize the sport and fostered connections between athletes, coaches, and brands across continents. His influence stretched far beyond the court, shaping basketball as both a cultural and international phenomenon. In 2015, Raveling was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in recognition of his broad contributions to the sport.

By Legacy News Staff

(Image: AP Photo/Young Kwak)