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 
J
N

Danny Wolf