Very sad news was announced on Thursday night, as Joe Wolf, a former captain of the UNC basketball program, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 59 years old.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) September 26, 2024
The Milwaukee Bucks posted the above statement on social media regarding Wolf’s passing. Before his passing, Wolf was serving as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks’ G League affiliate.
Wolf played four seasons under Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina, helping the Tar Heels post a staggering 115-22 record during that span. He was a key contributor in helping the UNC basketball program reach the Sweet 16 twice and the Elite Eight twice during his college career, and was a co-captain (alongside Kenny Smith) during the 1986-1987 season, his senior year on campus. That season, Wolf was a force in the post, averaging 15.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
After his time in Chapel Hill came to an end, Wolf went on to be selected with the No. 13 overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. He played 11 seasons in the NBA, spending time with seven different franchises.
Once his playing days came to a close, Wolf transitioned into coaching, spending time at the college level at William & Mary and UNC Wilmington before transitioning to the NBA G-League. He had stints as an assistant coach with both the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, having last coached with the Bucks’ G-League affliliate.
Another Tar Heel is gone too soon, as this news is surprising to the basketball world. It’s safe to say that Joe Wolf didn’t just make an impact in Chapel Hill but on the sport as a whole, as he certainly will be missed.
