Joe Wolf, a notable figure in basketball, tragically passed away on Thursday at the age of 59, as announced by the Milwaukee Bucks. Wolf, who once captained the North Carolina Tar Heels under the legendary coach Dean Smith, had a diverse career, playing for seven NBA teams over 11 years before transitioning into coaching.
For the past eight years, Wolf served as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin Herd, the G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks. In their statement regarding his passing, the Bucks reflected on his significant impact on the organization. “Joe touched many lives and was a highly respected, adored, and dedicated coach and player across the NBA,” they said. “His immense talent played a vital role for the Bucks and Herd, both as a player and coach.”
Born in 1964, Wolf was an All-American in high school in 1983 and went on to join the Tar Heels, where he played alongside basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins. During his senior year in 1986-87, he co-captained the Tar Heels with Kenny Smith. Under his leadership, North Carolina achieved an impressive record of 115 wins to 22 losses, reaching the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight twice each during his time there.
Standing at 6 feet 11 inches, Wolf played both center and forward. After leaving college, he was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the 13th overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. He spent his initial three NBA seasons with the Clippers before moving on to play for teams including Denver, Charlotte, Orlando, Portland, Boston, and finally the Milwaukee Bucks, marking a return to his Wisconsin roots.
Wolf’s early basketball success began at Kohler High School, where he led his team to three state championships in Wisconsin. In recognition of his outstanding high school career, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel named him the greatest high school basketball player in state history in 2005.
After his playing days ended, Joe Wolf quickly embraced coaching, crediting Dean Smith for instilling essential skills during his college career. “I like to think I started getting trained the minute I stepped on campus,” Wolf shared in a 2018 interview with the Greensboro (N.C.) News and Record. “Coach Smith was all about building the proper habits. That benefits me today.”
Wolf’s coaching journey included assistant positions at William & Mary and UNC Wilmington, as well as head coaching roles in what is now known as the G League with Idaho, Colorado, and Greensboro. He also served as an NBA assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets before taking on his role with the Herd in 2023.
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