After an impressive season playing for the University of Michigan in the NCAA, Danny Wolf is aiming for the NBA. According to reports in U.S. media, the Jewish American center, who starred for Israel’s under-20 national team in the 2023 European Championship, has decided to register for the upcoming draft, scheduled for this summer.
The journalist who reported the news, Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, described Wolf as “one of the most exciting players in the country.” Garcia added, “The expectation is that Wolf will not return for another college season but will instead try to advance to the NBA.”
After two successful years at Yale University, Wolf decided last summer to transfer to the University of Michigan—one of the leading colleges in the U.S. when it comes to its basketball program. Based on his exceptional performance, it seems he made an excellent decision.
This season, Wolf averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, shooting 49.7% from the field. In Michigan’s final game of the season, where the team lost 78–65 to Auburn in the Sweet 16, Wolf stood out with 20 points. While it wasn’t enough to secure a win, it added a highlight to the center’s outstanding season.
Draft experts from several respected websites and magazines have expressed excitement about Wolf’s abilities. Despite his size, he’s described as “dancing on the court,” excelling at pick-and-roll plays and demonstrating impressive shooting range. According to several projections, he is expected to be selected in the first round of the draft, which would guarantee him an NBA contract as early as this season—if and when it happens.
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Journalist William Brady, who covers Michigan, questioned whether Wolf’s decision is the right one. “On one hand, most projections predict he’ll be selected in the first round,” Brady wrote. “On the other hand, it’s far from certain that he’s a fully developed player ready for the NBA. In my opinion, he should return for one more season to further develop—and then try his luck.”
