Pioneering Basketball Coach & Nike Executive George Raveling's Memoir Coming Spring 2025 from Portfolio Books
George Raveling, the first Black head coach in the Pac-8 and a pivotal figure in sports history, shares the story of his incredible life in WHAT YOU’RE MADE FOR: Powerful Life Lessons from My Career in Sports, to be published on March 4, 2025 by Portfolio Books, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group. Adrian Zackheim, Publisher, Portfolio, acquired world rights. The news was announced by People magazine yesterday.
More than a memoir; this book is a masterclass in living a life of purpose and potential. WHAT YOU’RE MADE FOR blends the wisdom of a seasoned mentor with the transformative power of sports in a narrative that stands shoulder to shoulder with Mitch Albom’s timeless classic, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE.
Coming on March 4, 2025 from Portfolio Books.
George Raveling’s story begins in the still-segregated streets of Washington, D.C., where he discovered basketball—a still-unpopular sport that would become his lifelong passion and platform for change. From his humble beginnings, Raveling rose to become one of the most influential coaches in basketball history, shaping the careers of legends and leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Raveling dispenses wisdom through the fascinating stories of his life, including what he saw at the famous March on Washington (where he was given the original copy of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech), the time he convinced Michael Jordan to collaborate with Nike on the iconic Air Jordan, and leading the 1984 U.S. Men’s Olympic team to gold.
Adding a unique dimension to this inspiring work is Ryan Holiday, one of the world’s bestselling living philosophers. Known for his books including THE OBSTACLE IS THE WAY, EGO IS THE ENEMY, and THE DAILY STOIC, he is a longtime friend and admirer of Coach Raveling, and is honored to help him tell his story.
George Raveling. Photo credit: Jared Polin.
Adrian Zackheim commented, “George Raveling has been a role model for many, and a mentor for a select few. We are honored now to give his wisdom the wide exposure that George so richly deserves.”
About George Raveling
George Raveling is a renowned basketball player and coach. He played at Villanova University, and was the head coach at Washington State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Southern California. Raveling has been Nike’s global basketball sports marketing director since he retired from coaching in 1994. With Mike Lombardi, he is the cofounder of The Daily Coach, a daily newsletter sharing sports and organizational leadership lessons.