Former Yale Center Aims to Become First Ivy League First-Round Pick in Decades
In the National Basketball Association, there have been only 50 players who attended an Ivy League school and were drafted to the NBA. That number will soon be 51 when former Yale center Danny Wolf gets drafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. Wolf spent his first two collegiate seasons at Yale before transferring to Michigan for his junior season. As an under-recruited big man, the NBA was always a question mark for Wolf. He burst onto the scene during his sophomore year at Yale, especially during March Madness when Wolf led the Bulldogs to their second-ever NCAA Tournament win in history over Auburn. The versatile big man has been described as “ Baby Jokic” due to his passing and ball-handling ability at over seven feet tall. Despite some high-turnover games, Wolf succeeds at pick-and-roll decision-making with a sharp basketball IQ.
Wolf put together an unforgettable career for the Wolverines and Bulldogs, earning himself the John C. Cobb award at Yale, which recognizes the Yale Rookie of the Year. During his time at Yale, he also earned himself a unanimous First-Team All-Ivy League selection during the 2023 season; furthermore, he led Yale to a March Madness appearance and earned Ivy League Tournament MVP honors. After an outstanding two years at Yale, Wolf transferred to his childhood dream school, the University of Michigan. During a record-setting year, Wolf was recognized as a Finalist for the Karl Malone Award. He continued to dominate in the regular season, ultimately earning All-Big Ten Second Team honors and All-Big Ten Tournament Team honors. Wolf's dominance continued into March as the Wolverines danced their way into the Sweet Sixteen before losing to Auburn. Wolf would earn All-NCAA South Regional Team honors as he catapulted Michigan to its 19th Sweet Sixteen.
While significantly increasing his draft stock throughout the year, Wolf has truly had a remarkable story. From growing up a die-hard Michigan fan to exceeding expectations at Yale, and now getting ready for the NBA Draft, where he has been projected anywhere from the lottery to the middle of the first round. Wolf will be joined in the NBA Draft process by Michigan’s other seven-foot-tall center, Vladislav Goldin. Regardless of where Wolf gets drafted, history will be made as he will join a limited class of Ivy League players to get drafted, and he will join elite company as he becomes the seventh ever first-round pick from the Ivy League.
