What is George Raveling’s connection to Michael Jordan? Relationship explored as the basketball icon passed away

At the age of 88, George Ravelling, a Hall of Fame basketball coach who helped Michael Jordan grab a historic sponsorship agreement with Nike, passed away. He used to be an executive at Nike as well. His family shared the news of his death on X.

They issued a statement on Tuesday that he had "walked into cancer with courage and grace.

" George Ravelling was also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for his service in 2015.

George Raveling’s influence on Michael Jordan and the rise of Nike’s Air Jordan brand

George Raveling's career record at Washington State, Iowa, and Southern California from 1972-94 was exceptional. In 2015, he was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His performance at those programs led to his inclusion on the basketball staff of the 1984 and 1988 U.S.

Olympics. The 21-year-old Michael Jordan was also a member of the same US Men's Olympic Basketball team that won gold in 1984.

At the age of 63, Ravelling was appointed as Director of International Basketball at Nike. he introduced Jordan and Sonny Vaccaro at Nike, and this resulted in a contract that allowed M.J to launch his own brand, made him a multimillionaire, and revolutionized the sportswear business.Ravelling was played by Marlon Wayans in the 2023 film "Air," which described Nike's courtship of Michael Jordan. Additionally, in the foreword of George Raveling's 2025 book, What You're Made For, Michael Jordan wrote: “I’m proud to call George a mentor and a friend … We can all learn from him.”

M.J also acknowledged that Ravelling persuaded him in a 2015 interview and said: “Sonny (Vaccaro) likes to take the credit. But it really wasn’t Sonny, it was actually George Raveling. He used to always try to talk to me, ‘You gotta go Nike, you gotta go Nike. You’ve got to try’.”

Remembering George Raveling: Exceptional coach, mentor, and Hall of Famer

On Tuesday morning, George Raveling’s family announced the news of his demise on social media. The caption said: “It is with deep sadness and unimaginable pain that we share the passing of our beloved “Coach,” George Henry Raveling..”The post then read:“It is with deep sadness and unimaginable pain that we share the passing of our beloved "Coach," George Henry Raveling, who faced cancer with courage and grace. He transitioned peacefully at 88, surrounded by family as well as love, faith, and sacred protection…”

He had a glorious career. In more than two decades, he was head coach at Iowa, Washington State, and USC. Basketball Hall of Fame and College Basketball Hall of Fame inductions were given to George Ravelling. In 1972-1983, he led the Washington State Cougars to two NCAA tournament appearances. He was presented with the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. On November 21, 2013, he received the Lapchick Prize as well. Also read: Who is George Raveling? Exploring his life and career as legendary coach passes away, leaving a lasting legacy