Wisconsin Basketball Legend Joe Wolf Passes Away at 59

Joe Wolf, a former captain at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and an NBA player who latterly became a coach, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, as announced by the Milwaukee Bucks. Wolf was serving as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks’ G League affiliate, at the time of his death. He was 59 years old. The cause of death has not been confirmed, but it is suspected to be a heart attack.

The Milwaukee Bucks issued a statement acknowledging Wolf’s contributions, noting, “Throughout his life, Joe touched many lives and was a highly respected, adored and dedicated coach and player across the NBA. His well-regarded talent was instrumental for the Bucks and Herd over eight years with the organization, including as a player and coach.”

Joe Wolf rose to prominence as a high school All-American in 1983 before joining the Tar Heels, where he played alongside Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins. Wolf served as co-captain with Kenny Smith during his senior year in the 1986-87 season. During his tenure at UNC, the team achieved a 115-22 record, reaching the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight twice.

Standing at 6-foot-11, Wolf was an All-ACC selection in 1987 and completed his college career with 1,231 points. He was chosen by the Los Angeles Clippers as the 13th overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. Throughout his NBA career, spanning 11 seasons, he played for teams including the Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, and returned to his home state of Wisconsin to play for the Milwaukee Bucks.

His stint with the Trail Blazers in the 1992-93 season saw him playing 21 games, averaging 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Wolf’s legacy in Wisconsin was cemented with his high school success, leading Kohler High School to three state championships. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recognized him as Wisconsin’s greatest high school basketball player ever in 2005.

Transitioning to a coaching role post-retirement, Wolf utilized the skills instilled by his college coach, Dean Smith. He stated in a 2018 interview with the Greensboro News and Record, “I like to think I started getting trained the minute I stepped on campus. Coach Smith was all about building the proper habits. That benefits me today.”

Wolf’s coaching career included roles as an assistant at William & Mary and UNC Wilmington, a head coaching position in the G League with Idaho, Colorado, and Greensboro, and assistant positions in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. His most recent appointment was with the Wisconsin Herd, emphasizing his continued commitment to basketball in his home state.