Joe Wolf, a basketball icon from Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday at the age of 59. While the cause of death has not been confirmed, it is believed to be related to a heart attack.
Wolf was celebrated as a high school standout before playing NCAA basketball for the UNC Tar Heels alongside NBA legends Michael Jordan and Kenny Smith. He was selected as the 13th pick in the 1987 NBA Draft and had a 12-year career as an NBA player throughout the 1980s and 1990s, which included a stint with the Portland Trail Blazers. He joined the Trail Blazers in the fall of 1992 and participated in 21 games during a season when the team reached the NBA Finals. As a power forward/center, he averaged 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per game, contributing behind notable players like Kevin Duckworth, Mark Bryant, and Buck Williams.
Throughout his career, Wolf also played for several other teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, and the Milwaukee Bucks, where he ultimately settled. After his playing days, he became an assistant coach with the Bucks and most recently served as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin Herd, the G-League affiliate of the Bucks. The Milwaukee Bucks have since released a statement expressing their condolences regarding Wolf’s passing.