Former North Carolina star Joe Wolf, who went on to play in the NBA and coach in both the NBA and G League, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 59.
Joe Wolf, a former North Carolina basketball captain and NBA veteran, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday at the age of 59. The Milwaukee Bucks, where Wolf served as an assistant coach for their G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, announced his passing in a statement.
"Throughout his life, Joe touched many lives and was a highly respected, adored and dedicated coach and player across the NBA," the Bucks said.
Remembering Joe Wolf: A Basketball Legend and a Dedicated Mentor
Wolf, a native of Kohler, Wisconsin, was a high school All-American in 1983 and joined the North Carolina Tar Heels to play alongside future NBA stars Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins. As a co-captain for the Tar Heels in his senior season, Wolf led the team to a 115-22 record over four seasons, including two Sweet 16 appearances and two Elite Eight appearances.
Wolf credited Dean Smith, the legendary coach of the Tar Heels, for instilling important skills in him from the beginning of his college experience.
Remembering Joe Wolf: A Basketball Legend and a Dedicated Mentor
"I like to think I started getting trained the minute I stepped on campus," Wolf told the Greensboro News and Record in 2018. "Coach Smith was all about building the proper habits. That benefits me today."
An All-ACC pick in 1987, Wolf finished his career at North Carolina with 1,231 points. The Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the No. 13 pick in the 1987 draft, and he spent his 11-year NBA career with seven different teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers.
After his playing career, Wolf moved into coaching, working as an assistant at William & Mary and UNC Wilmington. He was also a head coach in the G League with Idaho, Colorado, and Greensboro, and served as an NBA assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets.
In 2023, he was hired as a G League assistant for the Wisconsin Herd. Wolf's contributions to basketball extended beyond the professional level, as he led Kohler High School to three Wisconsin state championships and was named the state's greatest high school basketball player ever by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2005.
"Off the court, Joe was a beloved brother, uncle, friend and community leader," the Milwaukee Bucks said in their statement. "We regret to inform you of the passing of our G League associate head coach, Joe Wolf. Our condolences go out to Joe's family and friends. The Bucks and Herd will always be grateful to Joe for his dedication and hard work for our organization. He will be missed."
Wolf's passing has left a void in the basketball community, and his legacy as a talented player, dedicated coach, and respected mentor will continue to inspire future generations.
