Michigan’s Danny Wolf: A Jewish Star on the March Madness Stage

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — March Madness kicks off Thursday, spotlighting one standout player: Danny Wolf, a 20-year-old center for the University of Michigan. Standing at 7 feet tall, Wolf is anticipated as a potential first-round selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, with his performance already capturing national attention.

Wolf’s journey in basketball unfolds against a backdrop of cultural pride as a dual American-Israeli citizen. He embraces his Jewish identity, having faced antisemitism on and off the court. “I would hear it growing up, that noise about me being Jewish and (so) you don’t expect much from me as a basketball player,” Wolf told Mitch Albom for the Detroit Free Press. “When I was younger, I kind of looked at (being Jewish) as an opportunity to prove myself.”

His Jewish upbringing is evident in his life, from attending Jewish day school until fifth grade to celebrating his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. “The most beautiful thing about Judaism is the way it connects me with my family,” Wolf said. “It transcends other things and brings us together.” In 2023, he represented Israel in the FIBA U20 European Championship, leading the squad to a silver medal.

Not all his experiences have been positive. While at Yale, Wolf faced antisemitic incidents following the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. “It was against Dartmouth… minutes into the game they broke out chanting and holding Palestinian flags,” Wolf recalled. “It was a small gym, so everyone’s focus turned to that.” Despite this, he did not let those incidents define his performance; he earned the 2023-2024 Ivy League Tournament MVP, leading Yale’s team during that season.

At Michigan, Wolf has emerged as a superstar. He averaged 13.1 points and 9.8 rebounds across 34 games, earning All-Big Ten Second Team honors. The Wolverines, entering the NCAA tournament as a No. 5 seed, are set to face No. 12 UC San Diego Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.

Danny Wolf’s talent and presence have led several analysts to rank him highly among this year’s draft prospects, with expectations of a strong professional future. “Danny takes a lot of pride in (his religion),” commented Michigan coach Dusty May. “His ultimate goal is the NBA and that’s in the future. But I think he’s really gonna take pride representing his family and his faith in the highest levels of basketball.”

If drafted, Wolf may join other Israeli players like Deni Avdija and Domantas Sabonis, who is converting to Judaism, adding depth to the small but growing number of Jewish players in the NBA. Known for his unique on-court skills, Wolf excels in rebounding and is recognized as one of the best pick-and-roll players in the upcoming draft.

Though he remains aware of online hate regarding his faith, Wolf has adopted a resilient mindset. He explained, “Now that I’m on a national stage and in the spotlight, you have ill-minded people… I’ve learned, and I’ve really talked to my parents about this, to push past it.”

As he prepares to lead Michigan into the NCAA tournament, Wolf aims not only for victory on the court but also to challenge stereotypes associated with Jewish athletes: “Being Jewish is something I hold very near and dear to my heart,” he said. “I always knew, religion aside, I could achieve what I wanted if I put my mind to it.”