The basketball world has lost one of its quiet visionaries with the passing of George Raveling at age 88 after a battle with cancer. Though he built a respected career, his influence extended far beyond the sidelines. He became a trusted mentor to Michael Jordan and the unsung architect of the sneaker revolution. At a pivotal moment, it was Raveling who guided a young Jordan toward Nike, a decision that gave birth to the Air Jordan legacy and reshaped sports marketing forever. The loss is deeply personal for Jordan, who released a rare public statement expressing profound grief over the passing of a man he called both a mentor and a friend.

George Raveling was a trailblazer in basketball and beyond. The first African American head coach in the Pac-8 Conference, he led programs at Washingt

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