Michael Jordan and the NBA mourn the loss of a basketball legend, a Hall of Famer who forever changed the League’s image

George Raveling, an iconic figure in American basketball, has died at age 88 after « facing cancer with courage and grace, » according to a family statement. The former college coach and Nike executive leaves behind a considerable legacy, particularly for his pivotal role in Michael Jordan’s signing with the swoosh brand.

It is with deep sadness and unimaginable pain that we share the passing of our beloved « Coach, » George Henry Raveling.pic.twitter.com/LGWQubvI3V

— George Raveling (@GeorgeRaveling)September 2, 2025

« There are no words to fully capture what George meant to his family, friends, colleagues, former players and assistants — and to the world, » his family stated. « He will be deeply missed, but his aura, energy, divine presence and timeless wisdom continue to live on in all those he touched and transformed. »

The architect of the Air Jordan phenomenon

Raveling will forever be remembered as the man who convinced Michael Jordan to join Nike in 1984. As assistant coach of the U.S. Olympic team that year, he introduced Jordan to Sonny Vaccaro at Nike, paving the way for a groundbreaking contract that birthed the Air Jordan brand and transformed the sporting goods industry.

« For over 40 years, he blessed my life with his wisdom, encouragement and friendship, » Michael Jordan said in a statement. « He was a mentor in every sense of the word and I will always have deep gratitude for his guidance. I signed with Nike because of George, and without him, there would be no Air Jordan. »

A pioneering career

Born in 1937 in a segregated Washington D.C. hospital, Raveling broke numerous barriers throughout his career. He became the ACC’s first Black coach in 1969 as an assistant at Maryland, then the Pac-12’s first Black coach in 1972 at Washington State. His head coaching career spanned from 1972 to 1994 with a record of 335 wins and 293 losses at Washington State, Iowa and Southern California.

Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, Raveling also made history as the keeper of the original « I Have a Dream » speech by Martin Luther King Jr. In 1963, while working security at the March on Washington, he impulsively asked King for his copy of the speech. The reverend handed it to him. In 2021, Raveling donated this historic document to his alma mater, Villanova.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised « a pioneering force » who helped make basketball a global sport. Raveling’s story even inspired the 2023 film « Air, » where actor Marlon Wayans portrayed him, testifying to this exceptional man’s lasting impact on the sports world.