Fans across the basketball world are in mourning today as a legendary Nike executive and college basketball coach has sadly passed away this week.
On Tuesday, the family of basketball Hall of Famer and ex-Nike executive George Raveling announced in a statement that he passed away at the age of 88.
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“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,” the statement read. “He transitioned peacefully at 88, surrounded by family as well as love, faith and sacred protection.
“There are no words to fully capture what George meant to his family, friends, colleagues, former players and assistants – and to the world. He will be profoundly missed, yet his aura, energy, divine presence, and timeless wisdom live on in all those he touched and transformed.”
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A remarkable career
Raveling was a record-setting rebounder for the Villanova Wildcats between 1957 and 1960. After a brief pro career, he went into coaching, working as an assistant for 10 years before becoming head coach at Washington State in 1972.
At the time that Raveling took over Washington State, the program had not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1941. He ended that streak in 1980, leading the team to a 22-6 record and a trip to the tournament, leading them there again in 1983 in what would be his final year.
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Over the next 12 years, Raveling would coach at Iowa and USC, leading both schools on multiple NCAA tournament appearances. His final record as a head coach was 336-292 with two wins in the NCAA tournament.
After retiring from coaching in 1994, he became the Director of International Basketball for Nike. He also worked as a color commentator for various sports networks and authored multiple books on basketball.
A Nike corporate logo hangs on the front of their store at The Grove.Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
Tributes
Basketball fans, analysts and historians have all reflected on his incredible life and impact on basketball.
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“The great basketball coach and Nike executive GeorgeRaveling has passed away at the age of 88 years old. Raveling was a security guard at the March on Washington in 1963 and asked MLK for his copy of the “I Have A Dream” speech. He donated it to his alma mater, Villanova,” sports analyst Darren Rovell wrote on X.
“Fight On Forever, GeorgeRaveling. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, who led the Trojans to four postseason appearances as our head coach from 1987-94, passed away following a battle with cancer. He was 88,” the USC basketball team wrote.
“George Raveling has had a profound impact upon the game of basketball, at every level, around the world. He served as a dedicated coach, mentor, friend and true guardian of the game for decades. The game lost one of its true icons, and one of its most thoughtful and giving people. RIP Coach Raveling,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas wrote.
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The basketball world has lost a great one today. Rest in peace, Coach.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 2, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
