Danny Wolf

Last updated

Danny Wolf
Danny Wolf.jpg
Wolf with Israel's under-20 national team in 2023
No. 2–Brooklyn Nets
Position Power forward
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2004-05-05) May 5, 2004 (age 21)
Glencoe, Illinois, U.S.
NationalityAmerican / Israeli
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft 2025: 1st round, 27th overall pick
Drafted by Brooklyn Nets
Playing career2025–present
Career history
2025–present Brooklyn Nets
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
FIBA U20 European Championship
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2023 Greece Team

Daniel Abraham Wolf (born May 5, 2004) is an American-Israeli professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Yale Bulldogs and the Michigan Wolverines. At Yale in 2024, he earned first-team All-Ivy League honors, the Ivy League tournament MVP, and led the league in rebounds and blocks per game. At Michigan in 2025, he was a second-team All-Big Ten selection, leading the conference in rebounds per game and double-doubles. He competed for Israel at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship, winning a silver medal and earning all-tournament team honors. Wolf was selected 27th overall by the Nets in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft.

Contents

Early and personal life

Wolf was born in Glencoe, Illinois, in the United States, and is Jewish. [1] [2] His oldest brother, Josh, played basketball at Lehigh University, and his other older brother, Jake, played basketball at Washington University in St. Louis. [2] His father Joe (who played high school basketball) is 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m), his mother Tina (who played high school tennis) is 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m), and each of his two brothers is 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m). [3] [4] [5] Danny is 7 feet (2.13 m) tall and weighs 250 pounds (113 kg). [2] He studied at a Solomon Schechter Jewish day school until fifth grade, keeps kosher, and celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel. [4]

High school career

Wolf attended Lake Forest Academy in Illinois for three years, where at the start of his freshman season he was 6-foot-3 and played on the varsity basketball team. [6] He then transferred to Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts for his senior year, where he helped the team reach the finals in both the NEPSAC Triple-A championship and the national prep championship. [6] Under his leadership, the team was ranked number 11 in the country for the majority of the season. Additionally, he received a McDonald's All-American Game nomination, and was a three-star recruit. [7] [8] [9] He committed to playing college basketball for Yale because of the elite combination of academics and basketball that the school provided. [10]

College career

Yale

In his freshman season at Yale University, 2022–23, Wolf primarily played for the Bulldogs as a backup to forwards EJ Jarvis, Isaiah Kelly, and Matt Knowling, averaging 2.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks. After the season, he received Yale's John C. Cobb Award, which is given to the team’s rookie of the year. [10]

At the start of his sophomore season, 2023–24, Wolf moved into a starting role and became the focal point of the Bulldogs’ offense. [11] [12] [13] [14] On November 19, 2023, he posted then-career-highs of 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists in an overtime win over Gardner-Webb University. Wolf’s play earned him the Ivy League Player of the Week five times, including three straight from January 23, 2024, to February 12. [15] [16] During that stretch, he averaged 17.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.8 blocks, leading the Bulldogs to an undefeated record during the span. Wolf became just the seventh player in Ivy League history to earn five Player of the Week awards in a single season. [16]

In 2023–24, Wolf led the Ivy League with 310 rebounds, 247 defensive rebounds, 9.7 rebounds per game, and 1.3 blocks per game. [17] He finished the year averaging 14.1 points per game (10th in the league), with 43 blocks (second), 63 offensive rebounds (third), 176 field goals (third), a .472 field goal percentage (fourth), and 33 steals (tenth). [17] He earned unanimous first team All-Ivy honors, a National Association of Basketball Coaches District 13 first-team selection, was named the most outstanding player in the Ivy League tournament, and was named Academic All-District. [18] [19]

Michigan

On April 20, 2024, Wolf transferred to the University of Michigan to play for the Wolverines in the Big Ten Conference. [20] On November 4, 2024, in his first game with Michigan, against Cleveland State, Wolf led all players with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while adding three blocks, three steals, and two assists. [21] In the seventh game of the season, against Xavier, he had his third double-double of the season, leading all players with 20 points and 14 rebounds as Michigan became the Fort Myers Tip-Off champions. [22] In the next game, against Wisconsin, Wolf scored 20 points, grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, and recorded a game-high five assists, three steals, and five blocked shots. [23] On January 4, 2025 against USC, he had 21 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and a career-high six blocks, earning his seventh double-double of the season. [24] On January 16 against Minnesota, Wolf scored a season-high 23 points with ten rebounds and seven assists; his eighth double-double with Michigan. [25] On February 5 against Oregon, he had 15 points and 12 rebounds, leading all Big Ten players with ten double-doubles through 22 games. [26]

In March, Wolf was named a finalist for the Karl Malone Award, given to the nation’s best power forward each season. [27] He also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors, selected by both the coaches and media, [28] and was named to the all-tournament team after leading Michigan to a Big Ten championship in the 2025 Big Ten tournament. [29] In the 2025 NCAA tournament, Wolf was named to the south regional all-tournament team, along with Johni Broome, Tahaad Pettiford, Jase Richardson, and Sean Pedulla. [30]

As a junior, Wolf averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds (leading the conference), 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks (7th) per game, with a .497 field goal percentage (9th). [17] He led the Big Ten in rebounding (360 rebounds; 8th in the NCAA) and in double-doubles, finishing in a tie with Julian Reese and Derik Queen with 15 double-doubles. [31] [32]

On April 16, Wolf announced that he would forgo his senior season and declared for the 2025 NBA draft. [33]

Professional career

On June 25, Wolf was selected 27th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft. [34]

Team Israel career

While born in the United States, because Wolf is Jewish he was able to become an Israeli naturalized citizen, and thus to compete for Team Israel. [35] In his first national-level competition, Wolf represented Israel at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship in Greece. [36] [37] [38] [39] While playing for Israel’s national under-20 team, he averaged 17.7 points (second in the tournament), a tournament-high 12 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game (ninth); leading team Israel to a second-place silver medal, and recognized for his stellar play by being named to the all-tournament team. [40] [41] [42]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2022–23 Yale 2107.3.404.304.6252.1.6.2.42.6
2023–24 Yale 323130.8.472.345.7179.72.41.01.314.1
2024–25 Michigan 373730.5.497.336.5949.73.6.71.413.2
Career906825.2.479.336.6467.92.5.71.111.1

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jacob Gurvis. "US-Israeli basketball star Danny Wolf seeks glory in March Madness — and likely the NBA". Times of Israel.
  2. 1 2 3 "Danny Wolf – 2023–24 – Men's Basketball". Yale University.
  3. ↑ Cyro Asseo de Choch (May 7, 2025). "Danny Wolf: NBA draft scouting report and intel". USA Today.
  4. 1 2 "Mitch Albom: Danny Wolf is a rare breed — proud Jewish 7-foot star who plays like a guard". Detroit Free Press.
  5. ↑ Narang, Bobby (July 9, 2020). "After a series of growth spurts, Lake Forest Academy's Danny Wolf hits 6-10 and starts receiving Division I offers on the first day: 'It was the coolest thing ever.'". The Chicago Tribune.
  6. 1 2 Andrew Kahn (February 26, 2025). "The lone Wolf: How Michigan's 7-foot guard became college basketball's most unique player". mlive.
  7. ↑ Ryan James (June 17, 2021). "2022 PF Danny Wolf discusses his Minnesota official visit". 247Sports.
  8. ↑ Bobby Narang (November 12, 2020). "Recruiting notes: 6-foot-10 junior Danny Wolf cites uncertainty in Illinois, opportunity on East Coast in decision to transfer from Lake Forest Academy". Chicago Tribune.
  9. ↑ "College Prospect Spotlight: Yale's Danny Wolf; This week, we highlight the spectacular play of Yale center Danny Wolf". Sports Illustrated . December 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Men's Basketball Roster – Danny Wolf". Yale . October 27, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Yale vs. Howard: Sophomore sensation Danny Wolf leads Bulldogs as 6-point favorites in college basketball showdown". BVM Sports. January 3, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Wolf, Mack Repeat as Ivy Men's Hoops Weekly Award Winners". ivyleague.com. January 22, 2024.
  13. ↑ Dom Amor (February 15, 2024). "Danny Wolf, 'weirdly unbelievable,' adds new dimension to Yale's basketball aspirations". Harford Courant.
  14. ↑ Lee, Myer (February 1, 2024). "Danny Wolf powers Yale basketball team to six-game winning streak". CT Insider.
  15. ↑ "Wolf Earns Ivy Player of Week Honors for Fifth Time". Yale University. February 12, 2024.
  16. 1 2 Bennett, Tim (February 12, 2024). "Wolf Earns Ivy Player of Week Honors for Fifth Time". Yale Athletics. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  17. 1 2 3 "Danny Wolf College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  18. ↑ "Wolf, Jones Finalists for CollegeInsider Awards". Yale University. March 20, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Wolf, Townsend Named Academic All-District". Yale Bulldogs. March 26, 2024.
  20. ↑ Meyer, Craig (April 20, 2024). "7-foot Yale transfer Danny Wolf commits to Dusty May, Michigan basketball". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Michigan v. Cleveland State (November 4, 2024)". ESPN.com .
  22. ↑ "Michigan basketball routs No. 22 Xavier to win Fort Myers Tip-Off title". The Detroit News .
  23. ↑ "7-footers lift Michigan basketball after brutal start to 67-64 upset of No. 11 Wisconsin". Detroit Free Press . December 3, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Michigan v. USC (January 4, 2025)". ESPN.com . January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Michigan v. Minnesota (January 16, 2025)". ESPN.com .
  26. ↑ Wywrot, Tom (February 5, 2025). "U-M Holds Off Late Charge to Secure Pink Game Victory Over Oregon". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  27. ↑ Tony Garcia (March 6, 2025). "Danny Wolf named finalist for Karl Malone Award as nation's best PF". Detroit Free Press .
  28. ↑ Dylan Burkhardt (March 11, 2025). "Goldin earns First Team All-Big Ten honors, Wolf named to Second Team". UM Hoops. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  29. ↑ Mahoney, Matthew (March 16, 2025). "U-M Downs No. 18 Wisconsin to Capture B1G Tournament Title". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
  30. ↑ Jones, Taylor (March 31, 2025). "Auburn duo earns NCAA Tournament All-South Region team honors". USA Today . Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  31. ↑ "2024-25 Big Ten Rebounds Per Game Leaders". Big Ten . April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Men's Basketball NCAA Division I Double Doubles (2024-25)". NCAA . April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  33. ↑ Givony, Jonathan (April 16, 2025). "Michigan's Danny Wolf to enter NBA draft, forgo NCAA eligibility". ESPN.com . Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  34. ↑ Hawkins, James (June 26, 2025). "Michigan big man Danny Wolf heads to Nets at No. 27 in the NBA Draft". The Detroit News.
  35. ↑ Halickman, Joshua (July 7, 2023). "Yale hoopster Danny Wolf checks in ahead of representing Israel at U20 Euro". The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  36. ↑ "ג'ייק כהן, הגלגול הבא: הכירו את כוכב נבחרת העתודה דני וולף". Israel HaYom. March 25, 2024.
  37. ↑ ""יקבל צ'אנס ב-NBA": דני וולף פורח, ומדבר על המחויבות לנבחרת". וואלה!. February 17, 2024.
  38. ↑ "שבוע חלומי: דני וולף בדרך להישג מרשים עם ייל". Israel HaYom. March 16, 2024.
  39. ↑ ספורט, Ynet (March 23, 2024). "סנסציית ענק בטורניר המכללות: דני וולף וייל הדיחו את אובורן". Ynet.
  40. ↑ נועה פופלינגר (July 17, 2023). "ענקים: וולף ויעקב בחמישיית יורובאסקט U20". Sport5 – אתר ערוץ הספורט.
  41. ↑ "Wolf Stars at FIBA U20 European Championship, Earns Silver Medal with Team Israel; named to tournament's All Star Five". Yale University. July 18, 2023.
  42. ↑ "The standout players that impressed at #FIBAU20Europe". FIBA . July 16, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
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