Jim Valvano feature film to star Ray Romano
A big-name Hollywood star is set to play an NC State basketball legend in an upcoming feature film. Ray Romano, who rose to fame playing a sportswriter on the hit and long-lasting comedy series “Everybody Loves Raymond,” will star as Jim Valvano in a biopic on the head coach of the 1983 NCAA champions.
The script will be written by Jim Strouse, whose past work includes writing a basketball comedy called “The Winning Season,” and produced by game1, a studio that focuses exclusively on sports-related films.
The Valvano family will be partnering in the venture and will serve as executive producers. Jim Valvano’s daughter Jamie Valvano participated in the announcement.
“We couldn’t be more excited to finally tell my father’s story in the form of a feature film, especially with Ray Romano and game1 as partners,” said Jamie Valvano in a prepared statement. “We had a front-row seat to one of the greatest stories of all time, and we are thrilled to share it with the entire world as well.”
“Jim Valvano has always been an inspiration to me,” Romano added in the statement. “I’m looking forward to working with the team at game1 as well as the Valvano family to bring Jim’s incredible story and legacy to the screen.”
Jimmy V Is Popular In Hollywood
If this movie makes it to theaters or streaming services, it would not be the first time a feature was made about Jim Valvano’s life.
In 1996, a television movie called “Never Give Up: The Jimmy V Story” starring Anthony LaPaglia was produced by CBS Entertainment and shown on CBS.
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More famous is the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, “Survive and Advance.” Directed by Jonathan Hock and including former NC State star guard Dereck Whittenburg among its executive producers, “Survive and Advance” was released in 2013 on the 30th anniversary of Valvano famously coaching NC State to the improbable 1983 championship.
Since its initial viewing, the documentary film has become a popular feature among the extensive 30 for 30 catalog at ESPN.
Valvano coached at NC State for 10 seasons from 1981-90. In addition to the national title, Valvano led NC State to two more Elite Eights and a Sweet 16 appearance. He also won the 1987 ACC Tournament to go with his 1983 league title and finished atop the conference standings during the regular season two more times.
NC State basketball made the NCAA Tournament in seven of Valvano’s 10 seasons and the NIT once. The arena at Reynolds Coliseum is named in Valvano’s honor.
After his tenure at NC State ended, Valvano fought an inspirational battle against cancer before his death in 1993. He delivered famous speeches in his return to Reynolds Coliseum and then later at the inaugural ESPY Awards show on ESPN. During the latter, Valvano announced the formation of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which has raised nearly $290 million for cancer research.
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