D
anny Wolf, a 7-foot junior for-
ward, is ecstatic to be part of
University of Michigan head
men’s basketball coach Dusty May’s
star-studded recruiting class.
“Coach May has an infectious energy
about him, and he was one of the first
coaches to call me when I entered the
transfer portal,” Wolf said. “Our relation-
ship kicked off quickly. I like his style of
play and his vision to enhance Michigan
basketball.”
Returning to the Midwest (Wolf grew
up in the northern Chicago suburb of
Glencoe) will give his family and friends
more opportunities to watch him play in
person.
Wolf, 20, said his Jewish upbringing
has significantly shaped him as a person
and athlete.
“I grew up in a family with parents
that instilled values in us from a young
age, including tzedakah,” Wolf said. “My
parents instilled giving back and being
able to help those out in need.”
Wolf had traveled with his family to
Israel many times in his youth, but last
summer, he became an Israeli citizen.
He helped the Israeli team win a silver
medal at the International Basketball
Federation (FIBA) Under 20 Tournament
in Greece. Wolf finished with 17
points and 16 rebounds in an 89-79
Championship Game loss to France.
“It was a great experience to represent
Israel,” Wolf said. “I’m super thankful for
them giving me the opportunity.”
The FIBA U-20 experience was part
of Wolf’s meteoric rise from a Yale
University freshman who averaged 2.6
points and 2.1 rebounds per game to a
first team all-Ivy League forward who
finished with 14.1 points, 9.7 rebounds
and 2.4 assists per game.
“Entering college, I wanted the best
blend of academics and basketball, and
I found that at Yale,” Wolf said. “Yale
Coach James Jones and his staff made
my first two years there really special. I
have nothing but amazing things to say
about my first two years at Yale.”
Last March, Yale won the Ivy League
Tournament Championship and shocked
the basketball-watching world with
a 78-76 victory over Southeastern
Conference Tournament champion,
Auburn, in Spokane, Washington.
Wolf finished with 13 points, five
rebounds and three assists against the
Tigers, coached by Bruce Pearl, one of
the most renowned Jewish coaches in all
of sports.
“You dream about winning a game like
that as a kid,” Wolf said. “We worked so
hard as a team and unit all year long. It
finally paid off, and our coaches put us
in great situations, and my teammates
delivered.”
Although Wolf is a 7-footer, he grew
up playing the guard position before his
growth spurt, so his skills are extremely
versatile.
While at Yale, Wolf developed a
friendship with Matt Elkin, then-Yale’s
director of basketball operations who has
since accepted a position as Stanford’s
assistant recruiting coordinator. Elkin is
also Jewish.
“Matt Elkin and I had an awesome
relationship — I keep in close contact
with him,” Wolf said.
Elkin, who left the Yale program after
Wolf did, said in early May that it was
bittersweet to see his friend and star
forward transfer. But he understood
the potential that playing for a Big 10
Conference program held.
“Michigan develops guys that go to the
NBA and, hopefully, Danny is the next
guy up,” Elkin said.
Wolf said leaving Yale for Michigan
was a difficult decision. He has two years
of eligibility remaining, and his goals are
focused on leading Michigan back to its
perch atop the college basketball world.
May, a 47-year-old Indiana native, was
a student manager for Bobby Knight at
Indiana University in the late 1990s. He
coached Florida Atlantic from basketball
obscurity to the 2023 NCAA Final Four.
“Our only focus right now is winning
Big 10 Championships and succeeding in
the NCAA Tournament,” Wolf said. “You
can’t put a ceiling on this team. We can
accomplish great things.”
7-footer from Chicagoland transfers from Yale to Michigan.
Wolf Joins Wolverines Men’s
Basketball Program
MICHAEL MURRA SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
SPORTS
30 | AUGUST 1 • 2024
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Danny Wolf