Danny Wolf: The Jewish Michigan Basketball Star Redefining the Game

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN (VINnews)-On March 23, 2025, as the NCAA’s March Madness tournament captivates basketball fans across the nation, one player stands out not just for his towering 7-foot frame or his dazzling stats, but for the pride he carries in his Jewish heritage. Danny Wolf, the University of Michigan’s breakout star, has emerged as a force on the court and a symbol of resilience off it, challenging stereotypes and inspiring a new generation of athletes.

A Journey from Glencoe to Ann Arbor

Born on May 5, 2004, in Glencoe, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago, Danny Wolf grew up in a household where height and hoops were family traits. His father stands at 6’8”, his mother at 5’10”, and his two older brothers—Josh, who played at Lehigh University, and Jake, who suited up for Washington University in St. Louis—both reach 6’10”. But Danny, at 7 feet and 255 pounds, took the family legacy to new heights, literally and figuratively.

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Wolf’s basketball journey began at Lake Forest Academy before he transferred to Northfield Mount Hermon School, where he earned a McDonald’s All-American nomination and helped his team reach the finals of the NEPSAC Class AAA Tournament. A three-star recruit, he chose Yale University for its blend of elite academics and competitive basketball. There, as a freshman in 2022-23, he played a reserve role, averaging 2.6 points and 2.1 rebounds. But his sophomore year in 2023-24 marked his breakout: Wolf averaged 14.1 points and a league-leading 9.7 rebounds per game, earning unanimous First-Team All-Ivy honors and the Ivy League Tournament MVP title as Yale punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

In April 2024, Wolf made a pivotal decision, transferring to Michigan to play under new head coach Dusty May. Returning to the Midwest offered a chance to shine on a bigger stage—and to be closer to family and friends who could watch him dominate in maize and blue.

A Unique Talent on the Court

What sets Danny Wolf apart isn’t just his size—it’s his skill set. At 7 feet, he plays with the versatility of a guard, a rarity in college basketball. He can dribble through traffic, knock down three-pointers, and deliver pinpoint passes out of pick-and-rolls. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has called him “college basketball’s most unique player,” praising his ability to “push off the defensive glass, handle creatively, and finish skillfully with both hands.” This season, Wolf has averaged 13.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, starting all 35 contests for the Wolverines. His stat lines are eye-popping: a season-high 23 points against Minnesota, a career-best six blocks against USC, and double-doubles that have become routine.

Wolf’s impact has been seismic. Michigan, a No. 5 seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, kicked off its campaign against No. 12 UC San Diego on March 20, 2025. After a remarkable turnaround season that included a Big Ten Tournament title, the Wolverines owe much of their success to Wolf’s dominance in the paint and beyond. His ability to stretch the floor and facilitate the offense has made him a matchup nightmare, and NBA scouts have taken notice. Many project him as a first-round pick in the June 2025 NBA Draft, with ESPN ranking him as the 12th-best prospect in March Madness.

A Proud Jewish Identity

Beyond his athletic prowess, Wolf’s story resonates for its cultural significance. A dual American-Israeli citizen, he wears his Jewish identity with pride, a rarity in high-level basketball. Raised in a Jewish household, Wolf attended Jewish day school until fifth grade, keeps kosher, and had his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. In 2023, he gained Israeli citizenship and represented Israel at the FIBA Under-20 European Championships, leading the team to a silver medal with a tournament-best 12.0 rebounds per game and earning all-tournament honors.

“Being Jewish is something I hold very near and dear to my heart,” Wolf has said. “Growing up in a Jewish household with Jewish beliefs and faith, I’ve never really been able to experience something like I have representing Israel.” Yet that pride has come with challenges. Wolf has faced antisemitic taunts throughout his career, from his youth days to his time at Yale and now at Michigan. “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,” he told Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom. “Now that I’m on a national stage, you have ill-minded people that have some not great things to say.”

Rather than let it define him, Wolf has turned adversity into motivation. “I’m not going to let it put a limit on what people think of me,” he said. “I always knew, religion aside, I could achieve what I wanted if I put my mind to it.” His coach, Dusty May, echoes that sentiment: “Danny takes a lot of pride in [his religion]. His ultimate goal is the NBA, and I think he’s really gonna take pride representing his family and his faith at the highest levels of basketball.”

Breaking Stereotypes and Chasing Dreams

Wolf’s rise isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a blow against age-old stereotypes about Jews in sports. Historically, Jewish athletes like Dolph Schayes, a 12-time NBA All-Star, paved the way, but they remain exceptions. Today, Wolf could join Portland’s Deni Avdija and Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis (who is converting to Judaism) as one of the few Jewish players in the NBA. Another Israeli, Ben Saraf, might also hear his name called in the draft, adding to the league’s Jewish ranks.

As Michigan embarks on its March Madness run, Wolf’s goals are clear: lead the Wolverines to glory and cement his legacy as an NBA-bound talent. But his impact transcends the scoreboard. He’s a trailblazer proving that faith and athletic excellence can coexist, inspiring young Jewish athletes to dream big. “Danny plays for a lot of the right reasons,” May said. “His heart is in the right place.” At 7 feet tall, that heart—and his game—stands higher than most.