DOSSIER-The former head coach of the state of Washington’s state, George Raveling, looks during the school ceremony to honor him at halftime of a NCAA university basketball match between the state of Washington and Washington in Pullman, Washington, February 9, 2020.
George Ravelling, a renowned temple basketball coach who played a role in Michael Jordan, signing a historic approval agreement with Nike, has died. He was 88 years old.
The Ravelling family said in a statement on Tuesday that he “faced cancer of courage and grace”.
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“There are no words to fully capture what George meant for his family, friends, colleagues, former players and assistants – and for the world,” said family declaration. “We will miss it deeply, but his aura, his energy, his divine presence and his timeless wisdom live in all those he touched and transformed.”
Raveling, which was inducted at the Naismith Memorial basketball temple in 2015, had a career record from 335-293 from 1972 to 1944 at Washington State, Iowa and in southern California. He had a loser record in his first season in each school before making several trips to the NCAA tournament.
Its success in these programs won raveling on American Olympic Basketball Staff in 1984 and 1988.
Jordan was part of the 1984 team who won gold at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and Raveling helped convince him to sign with Nike. He presented Jordan to Sonny Vaccaro in Nike, which contributed to a contract that gave Jordan his own brand, made him millions of dollars and changed the sportswear industry.
Marlon Wayans portrayed Raveling in the film “Air” of 2023 which focused on the court of Jordan de Nike.
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“For over 40 years, he has blessed my life with wisdom, encouragement and friendship,” Jordan said in a statement. “He was a mentor in all directions and I will always carry a deep gratitude for his advice. I signed with Nike because of George, and without him, there would be no air Jordan.”
The NBA commissioner Adam Silver called Raveling “a pioneer force” who helped make basketball an international match.
“During his long and percuting in Nike, George traveled the world – supervising several generations of players and coaches and promoting the sport that defined his identity,” said Silver in a statement. “He broke the barriers as a university basketball coach and was an imposing voice in our industry. I appreciated my friendship with George and admired how he led with balance, dignity and respect. ”
Raveling also possessed the original copy of Martin Luther King Jr. He worked on security in 1963 on Washington in which King said one of the most famous speeches in American history.
While King was coming out, Raveling saw him and asked him if he could have the speech, and the Reverend gave him. Raveling continued at the copy until 2021, when he gave him to his Alma Mater, Villanova.
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He played in Villanova from 1957 to 1960, on average 12.3 points and 14.6 rebounds in his last two seasons. The Philadelphia Warriors resumed the scam in the eighth round in 1960, but he did not play in the NBA.
“The best human being, an inspiring mentor, a former loyal alum and a thoughtful loving friend,” said Jay Wright, who led Villanova to the national championships in 2016 and 2018, published on X. “Coach Raveling lived his life for others, his heart was restless and kind and now rests in the Lord!”
Villanova’s current coach Kevin Willard said in a statement that he “had long appreciated the huge impact coach not only on our game, but on so many of us. I know that Villanova has occupied a special place in his heart and we are eternally grateful for his contributions to this program. ”
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Raveling was involved in a serious car accident when he trained the USC in 1994, breaking nine ribs, his collarbone and his basin.
