George Raveling was an American college basketball player, coach, broadcaster, and Nike executive. He coached at Washington State, Iowa, and USC, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and later helped shape basketball marketing at Nike, including the Michael Jordan partnership.

Quick Scoop

  • Full name: George Henry Raveling.
  • Born: June 27, 1937, in Washington, DC.
  • Died: September 1, 2025.
  • Known for: coaching major college programs, being one of the first African-American head coaches in major college basketball, and influential work at Nike.
  • Also notable: he owned the original handwritten copy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech for years.

Why he matters

Raveling was more than a coach; he became a respected voice in sports, leadership, and culture. He is often remembered for helping Michael Jordan sign with Nike, which helped launch the Air Jordan era.

Background

He played college basketball at Villanova and later built a long coaching career before moving into sports marketing and commentary. His career earned him major recognition, including Hall of Fame honors.

If you want, I can also give you a 3-line bio, a career timeline, or his connection to Martin Luther King Jr.