George Raveling, a Hall of Fame basketball coach known for his instrumental role in securing a pivotal endorsement deal between Michael Jordan and Nike, has passed away at the age of 88.

Raveling’s family said Tuesday in a statement that he had “faced cancer with courage and grace.”

“There are no words to adequately express what George meant to his family, friends, colleagues, former players, and assistants — and to the world,” stated his family. “His absence will be deeply felt, yet his spirit, energy, divine presence, and enduring wisdom continue to resonate in all those he impacted and changed.”

Raveling, honored by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, held a career record of 335-293 during his coaching tenure from 1972 to 1994 at institutions including Washington State, Iowa, and Southern California. Despite initially facing a losing season at each school, he eventually led them to several NCAA Tournament appearances.

His success at those programs landed Raveling on the U.S. Olympic basketball staffs in 1984 and 1988.

Jordan was on the 1984 team that won gold at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and Raveling helped convince him to sign with Nike. He introduced Jordan to Sonny Vaccaro at Nike, which helped lead to a contract that gave Jordan his own brand, made him millions of dollars and changed the athletic apparel industry.

Marlon Wayans portrayed Raveling in the 2023 movie “Air” that focused on Nike’s courtship of Jordan.

Raveling also owned the original copy of the “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr. He was working security at the 1963 March on Washington in which King delivered one of the most famous speeches in American history.

As King was exiting, Raveling saw him and asked if he could have the speech, and the reverend handed it to him. Raveling held on to the copy until 2021, when he donated it to his alma mater, Villanova.

He played at Villanova from 1957-60, averaged 12.3 points and 14.6 rebounds over his last two seasons. The Philadelphia Warriors drafted Raveling in the eighth round in 1960, but he didn’t play in the NBA.

“The finest human being, inspiring mentor, most loyal alum and a thoughtful loving friend,” Jay Wright, who coached Villanova to national championships in 2016 and 2018, posted on X. “Coach Raveling lived his life for others, His heart was restless and kind and now rests In the lord!”

Raveling was involved in a serious car crash while coaching USC in 1994, breaking nine ribs, his collarbone and pelvis.