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Hall of Fame basketball coach Raveling dies at 88

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Hall of Fame basketball coach Raveling dies at 88


George Raveling, a Hall of Fame basketball coach who played a role in Michael Jordan signing a landmark endorsement deal with Nike, has died. He was 88.

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

“There are no words to fully capture what George meant to his family, friends, colleagues, former players, and assistants — and to the world,” the family statement read. “He will be profoundly missed, yet his aura, energy, divine presence, and timeless wisdom live on in all those he touched and transformed.”

Raveling, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, had a career record of 335-293 from 1972-94 at Washington State, Iowa and USC. He had a losing record in his first season at each school before making multiple trips to the NCAA tournament.

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.

“For more than 40 years, he blessed my life with wisdom, encouragement, and friendship,” Jordan said in a statement. “He was a mentor in every sense and I’ll always carry deep gratitude for his guidance. I signed with Nike because of George, and without him, there would be no Air Jordan.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver called Raveling “a pioneering force” who helped make basketball an international game.

“During his long and impactful tenure at Nike, George traveled the world — mentoring multiple generations of players and coaches promoting the sport that defined his identity,” Silver said in a statement. “He broke barriers as a college basketball coach and was a towering voice in our industry. I valued my friendship with George and admired how he led with poise, dignity and respect.”

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, averaging 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!”

Current Villanova coach Kevin Willard said in a statement that he has “long appreciated the enormous impact Coach has made not just on our game, but on so many of us in it. I know Villanova held a special place in his heart and we are forever grateful for his contributions to this program.”

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





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Lions knock Bucs out of first in NFC behind Jahmyr Gibbs’ big night

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Lions knock Bucs out of first in NFC behind Jahmyr Gibbs’ big night


DETROIT — Every time NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders is at a Lions game, Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs says he wants “to show out,” which is exactly what happened Monday night in a 24-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gibbs was spectacular, totaling 218 yards and two rushing touchdowns, as the Lions continue to make a case to be the NFL’s best following a loss.

After falling at Kansas City in Week 6, Detroit bounced back with another home win while breaking out their all-black uniforms for the first time this season. Detroit is now 13-4 following a loss since the start of the 2022 campaign, which is the second-best record in NFL over span after the Chiefs (11-2), per ESPN Reference.

Here are the most important things to know from Monday night for both teams:

Detroit Lions (5-2)

Most surprising performance: Despite playing without starting safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (suspension) and cornerback Terrion Arnold (shoulder), Detroit’s defense stepped up, particularly in the secondary while forcing both of the Bucs’ turnovers by halftime. The unit held an explosive Tampa Bay offense to 58 yards through two quarters and 251 for the game with four sacks. Lions cornerback Amik Robertson forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in the second quarter, and cornerback Arthur Maulet ripped the ball away from Bucs tight end Cade Otton for an interception later in the half.

Biggest hole in game plan: Third-down conversions. Detroit went 3-for-13 on third-down attempts. Lions coach Dan Campbell said he wasn’t pleased with their third-down efficiency at halftime.

Stat to know: Gibbs broke free up the middle for the longest run of his NFL career with a 78-yard touchdown with 5:51 left in the first half. Gibbs’ top speed was 22.2 mph, the fastest rushing TD by an offensive ball carrier this season, per Next Gen Stats. He is the only player over the past three seasons to reach 22 mph on a rushing touchdown, and he’s done it twice now, including on a 70-yard touchdown in 2024 versus the Titans during Week 8. — Eric Woodyard

Next game: vs. Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 2)


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)

With the return of franchise’s scoring leader in Mike Evans (hamstring) and first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka (hamstring), the stars seemed set to align for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Motown, especially considering the Lions would be playing without nearly every starter in their secondary.

But that would not be the case, between the gaffes on defense and Evans leaving the game in the second quarter with a concussion and a shoulder injury after colliding with Rock Ya-Sin on a deep pass. The offense struggled to get going, and Mayfield couldn’t connect with the team’s leading receiver in Egbuka — going 4-for-12 for 58 yards while targeting him.

Tampa Bay came into the game with the best record in the NFC, but this loss pulled them back into the pack.

What to make of the quarterback performance: Mayfield looked uncomfortable and out of rhythm throughout the night, completing 28-of-50 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown with one interception, although you can’t pin that one on Mayfield when it was wrestled out of Otton’s hands. The one bright spot was Mayfield slipping the ball past Hutchinson on a screen pass and connecting with rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson on a 22-yard touchdown. Mayfield also fumbled the ball on a sack from Al-Quadin Muhammad and Tyrus Wheat, although it was recovered by Tampa Bay tackle Tristan Wirfs. It wasn’t a typical outing from a signal-caller who had been playing at an MVP level this season.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Just like the Atlanta Falcons and the Houston Texans, the Bucs’ defense surrendered an explosive play and a touchdown on the opening drive. And once again, Tampa Bay looked vulnerable in the flat throughout the game. On the opening drive, the Bucs surrendered a 30-yard reception to Gibbs coming out of the backfield; that was on SirVocea Dennis. They had issues with Gibbs in the flat again on a 24-yard catch then on a 28-yard reception, during which Dennis dove at his ankles, setting a touchdown in the third quarter.

Biggest surprise: The run defense — fifth best in the league in giving up 3.7 yards per carry — surrendered Gibbs’ 78-yard scoring run in the second quarter, and the Lions averaged 5.1 yards per carry and finished with 164 yards. On Gibbs’ play, the Bucs had both interior defensive linemen — Greg Gaines and Elijah Roberts — drop back into coverage with three defensive backs, Jacob Parrish, Tykee Smith and Zyon McCollum, attempting to converge on Gibbs in the backfield. But Gibbs found daylight to add to his huge night once past Roberts and Lavonte David. — Jenna Laine

Next game: at New Orleans Saints (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)



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Klopp refuses to rule out Liverpool return one day

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Klopp refuses to rule out Liverpool return one day


Jürgen Klopp has said a return to manage Liverpool one day is “theoretically possible” but insisted he does not miss coaching.

Klopp left Liverpool after nine successful years in 2024, declaring he was “running out of energy.” He has since joined Red Bull as head of global soccer.

While he has said he does not intend to return to management, the German claimed a return to Liverpool is not impossible.

“I said I will never coach a different team in England. So that means if [Klopp returns] it’s Liverpool,” Klopp told the Diary of a CEO podcast.

“So yeah, theoretically it’s possible. “I love what I do right now, I don’t miss coaching. I don’t. I mean I do coach, just different, not players. And I don’t miss it. I don’t miss standing in the rain two-and-a-half, three hours. I don’t miss going to press conference three times a week, having 10-12 interviews a week. I don’t miss that.

“I don’t miss being in the dressing room in the sense that I don’t have it often enough, I coached 1,080 something games. So, I was in the dressing room very, very often.

“I’m 58, that’s from your perspective, old from the other side, it’s not that old. That means I could make the decision in a few years. I don’t know. [If] I had to make the decision today, I won’t coach again but thank God I don’t have to do that. I can just see what the future brings.”

Klopp also revealed he often had interactions with his replacement Arne Slot, who won the Premier League title last season in his first campaign.

He said Slot was smart not to make a lot of changes initially, and it’s not surprising there are some teething issues after a busy transfer window this summer.

“We had a lot of contact after that; he’s a super good guy. He got the best out of this team, and they became champions in an incredible manner,” Klopp said.

“It’s not about Arne wants to show the world what he can do, it’s about how to get the best out of this team and that’s exactly what he did.

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“Change always has an impact and change always need time. If he keeps the exact same team as las season; Darwin Núñez still there, Luis Díaz still there as an example, they start playing and have problems [people say] ‘we needed change.’

“Now the new guys are there and they are really good players, it’s not working out at the minute. Development needs time, nobody can change that, people need time to adapt to certain things. It’s all good.”



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It’s time for ALCS Game 7! Lineups, live updates as Mariners, Blue Jays clash for World Series spot

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It’s time for ALCS Game 7! Lineups, live updates as Mariners, Blue Jays clash for World Series spot


It’s time for the two greatest words in sports: Game 7!

After six thrilling matchups, the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays are headed to a winner-takes-all showdown Monday night at Rogers Centre — with a World Series trip on the line.

Will Seattle take the final step in reaching the first Fall Classic in franchise history? Or will Toronto ride home-field advantage to its first AL pennant in more than three decades?

We’ve got you covered for all the action with lineups, in-game live updates and takeaways after the final out.

Key links: Game 7 preview, predictions | Bracket

Top moments

LIVE: Follow the game pitch-by-pitch here

Daulton Varsho drives in Toronto’s first run to tie Game 7

Throw nails Naylor to break up to complete inning-ending double play

Josh Naylor‘s single gets the M’s on the board first

Ready to face off! Vlad Jr. arrives at Game 7 in style

Series tied at 3

Game 7 starters: George Kirby vs. Shane Bieber

Lineups

Mariners

1. Julio Rodriguez (R) CF
2. Cal Raleigh (S) C
3. Josh Naylor (L) 1B
4. Jorge Polanco (S) DH
5. Randy Arozarena (R) LF
6. Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
7. J.P. Crawford (L) SS
8. Leo Rivas (S) 2B
9. Victor Robles (R) RF

Blue Jays

1. George Springer (R) DH
2. Nathan Lukes (L) LF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
4. Alejandro Kirk (R) C
5. Daulton Varsho (L) CF
6. Ernie Clement (R) 3B
7. Addison Barger (L) RF
8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B
9. Andres Gimenez (L) SS





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