2025 Prospect Spotlight: Danny Wolf

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Any thoughts on 7-foot Point Center Danny Wolf?

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Danny Wolf – Center - Michigan
Danny Wolf continues to skyrocket up 2025 NBA Draft boards, and for good reason. The 7’0” 250-pound junior big man continues to trend more towards being an offensive hub and initiator and less of a traditional big man.

Wolf’s shot has been a big discussion point, and after seeing it in person I lean more towards buying it than not. He shoots a really soft ball and the mechanics are consistent. He comes across his face on his release, and there will likely be some minor tweaks that need to be made, but it feels very workable.

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[Jamaaliver]

Danny Wolf is enduring a terrible stretch of basketball. But his skill set and size still make him an intriguing prospect.

7 foot, point forward with point guard skills.

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[Jamaaliver]

DW will NOT be the next Jokic, but a team could theoretically use him in a similar fashion.

Running offense from the high post with a 7 footer who can space the floor and pass over the top of the defense with ease.

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Danny Wolf, C, Michigan

Height: 7-0 | Weight: 250 pounds | Age: 20.6

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One of the bigger revelations in college hoops this season, Wolf has been creatively deployed at Michigan after transferring from Yale, showcasing his unusual passing ability, ingenuity for his size, operating as a functional point guard some of the time for the No. 20 Wolverines (13-4).

Wolf's impressive skill level at his size (255 pounds), plus improved defensive play has positioned him as an intriguing lineup cog for an NBA team. He could play all over the court, find teammates and enhance the flow of an offense.

There are still questions about his perimeter shooting (61% from the free throw line and 39% from 3), heavy turnovers (a byproduct of his risky style), and mobility, but few players are affecting games the way he has of late. His feel for running the offense is hard to discount.

Wolf still has more to prove, due to his unorthodox profile as a prospect and the thick of Big Ten competition ahead, but an NBA front office and coaching staff willing to deploy him creatively could reap long-term benefits. -- Woo

[Jamaaliver]

Adding a prospect like Danny Wolf singlehandedly solves a number of our issues regarding front court size next to Onyeka, outside shooting around Trae, additional playmaking behind Trae, depth behind Jalen.


If he develops in simply 'an above average rotation player', he can present so many mismatches and unique lineup opportunities that Quin can exploit at will.

Danny Wolf

Position: Forward/Center
College: Michigan
Class: Junior
Height/Weight: 7'0", 250 lbs

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Player Overview
Danny Wolf is a 7'0" big man with a unique skill set, highlighted by his above-average playmaking and ball-handling abilities for his position. His ability to operate as a secondary playmaker and stretch the floor has drawn attention, and his continued improvement in scoring around the rim has added another dimension to his game. Wolf’s yearly growth demonstrates his willingness to adapt and develop, making him an intriguing prospect.


However, there are areas for concern, including his free-throw shooting, defensive agility, and rim protection. His ability to improve as a consistent floor spacer and develop better defensive foot speed will be critical in determining his NBA potential. Wolf could find a role at the next level if he can address these issues and further refine his unique offensive tools.

"At 7'0", Wolf plays like a guard—shooting threes, creating off the dribble, and facilitating. He's undoubtedly a unique prospect." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst


Strengths

• Playmaking for a Big: Displays strong ball-handling and passing ability for his size, reading pick-and-roll situations effectively.
  
• Versatility: Improved scoring around the rim and the ability to stretch the floor, making him a potential offensive weapon.
  
• Defensive Instincts: Occasionally disrupts passing lanes and creates turnovers despite limitations in agility.
  
• Development Trajectory: Shows consistent growth and willingness to expand his game each season.

Concerns

• Free Throw Shooting: Needs significant improvement to capitalize on drawn fouls.
  
• Defensive Agility: Struggles with closeout speed and lateral quickness, which impacts his ability to defend quicker players.
  
• Rim Protection: As a big man, his rim protection must become more reliable.
  
• Turnovers: Must avoid forcing passes into traffic and improve decision-making.
  
• Catch-and-Shoot Readiness: Needs to be more prepared in catch-and-shoot situations to maximize offensive potential.

Questions

1. Can Wolf’s ball handling improve enough to become a true point-center?
   
2. Will his long-range shooting and overall finishing become more consistent?
   
3. Can he continue to develop his athleticism and agility to improve defensively?
   
4. Is Wolf a strong enough rim protector to contribute at the NBA level?

Bottom Line
Danny Wolf has a unique skill set for a 7-footer, with ball-handling and playmaking abilities that could make him an intriguing option for teams seeking versatility in the frontcourt. His continued development in stretching the floor and his growing offensive tools make him a potential second-round pick. However, he must improve his defensive agility, free-throw shooting, and rim protection to play a significant role in the NBA. With the proper development, Wolf has the potential to become a valuable offensive contributor and a matchup problem for opposing defenses.

Babcock Hoops

[HMFFL]

Michigan has helped his game since joining them from Yale but Michigan has failed to utilize him more. 8.7 field goal attempts per game is third in Michigan. I hope NBA scouts overlook him but I doubt that happens.

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[Jamaaliver]

Looks like a young, chubby Dirk right here.

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Looks like a young, chubby Dirk right here.

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We need him.

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[Jamaaliver]

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DW has been struggling with turnovers and efficiency of late. Still an intriguing prospect based on size and skill set. But he has a lot of the same flaws as Trae Young.

Danny Wolf (Michigan, PF/C)

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Size: 7'0", 250 lbs
Age: 20
Nationality: USA/Israel
Pro comparison: Hedo Turkoglu

The level of intrigue around Danny Wolf continues to build. Scouts are debating how he projects to the NBA level—whether he's more of a big or a jumbo playmaking forward.

Next-level ball-handling has turned him into a tough driver and live-dribble passer, as well as perimeter scorer who can separate into pull-up and step-back threes.

Averaging 9.9 boards, 3.8 assists and 1.5 blocks while finishing with strong feel around the rim, he's making it easier to look past the low three-point volume, disappointing free-throw percentage and athletic limitations.

Bleacher Report

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If he's there with that Lakers pick...he's worth the gamble.

Okongwu would complement this guy incredibly well.

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I can't tell if he's gonna be a better shooting Domantas Sabonis...or just another Kelly Olynyk.

But grabbing Danny Wolf in the mid-20s is a solid pick to take a HR swing.

Danny Wolf (Michigan, PF/C)

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Size: 7'0", 250 lbs
Age: 20
Nationality: USA/Israel
Pro comparison: Hedo Turkoglu

NBA teams covet bigs who can handle, and Danny Wolf's transfer to Michigan has given him the chance to showcase surprising playmaking IQ/skill. He should be able to create advantages at 7'0" with how he's able to drive and pass in ball-screen situations or attack closeouts.

His shooting development figures to play a key role in his trajectory, and the lack of three-point volume and poor free-throw numbers are worth taking into account.

For what it's worth, Wolf has been better pulling up from three (than spotting up), a sign he could be more valuable when used as a jumbo playmaker than a stretch big.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Really curious how he'll perform in the NCAA Tournament...

Danny Wolf | 7-0 center | 21 years old | Michigan

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There is no more capable big with the ball in his hands than Wolf, a ridiculously gifted playmaker at 7 feet who runs actions as a pick-and-roll ballhandler for Michigan. He’s averaging 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, and I think the four assists undersell his passing ability. He throws some incredibly creative looks. The scouts who love bigs who handle the ball are all over Wolf as an intriguing upside swing. And yet, it’s far from unanimous because the flaws are significant.

Wolf’s jumper is a serious work in progress right now despite the fact that he hit 34 percent from 3 on four attempts per game. The mechanics are messy and could be more problematic as he moves farther back beyond the NBA 3-point line. His turnover issue is serious, as he’s averaging 3.3 per game. But most importantly, scouts are completely unclear on whom Wolf guards. He’s not a particularly explosive leaper despite having real athleticism and coordination, so he’s unlikely to be a high-level rim protector. However, he also doesn’t really move well enough to guard on the perimeter. Answering those questions will be critical to his NBA future. Anywhere from No. 20 to all the way down to No. 40 feels right at this point.

The Athletic

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Danny Wolf, Center, Michigan

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Wolf is one of those players who, if the social media clips are edited just right, can look like a future All-Star. His (at times) razor-sharp footwork when he’s evading defenders on the edges of the paint, angular scoops, and “did I just see what I think I saw” playmaking send the mind racing. He’s one of the chief oddities in this class, assuming he declares: a 7-footer who plays mostly facing the basket and acts like a facilitator. In fact, Michigan is probably the only team in the country that consistently ran pick-and-roll with two 7-footers (the other being Vlad Goldin, who is more of a roller and a finisher).

The looming question mark is this: Can the fun be functional? The clips that don’t make it into those sizzle reels are the plays where Danny’s proclivity for coughing up the ball really puts a dent in his efficiency across the board—his turnover percentage in non-conference play was a whopping 29.9 percent, and it improved to only a semi-whopping 19.6 once the Wolverines entered conference play. He’s also turbulent from 3 and could stand to play with more force; despite his size, he has only six dunks on the season. I’d be surprised if Wolf plays this central of a role in whatever situation he finds himself in at the next level, but a dynamic performance (or more) could help convince a team that his productivity in a creative role is too hard to ignore.

The Ringer

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Spoiler:

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Spoiler:

Wolf established himself as one of the most unique players in the college game, shouldering significant playmaking responsibilities at 7 feet, sliding between the point guard, power forward and center positions. Igniting fast breaks pushing off the defensive glass, creating out of pick-and-roll, passing and finishing skillfully with both hands, and finding teammates off a live dribble, Wolf's skill level, creativity and versatility stood out to NBA scouts all season, raising his standing considerably as a pro prospect.

"In the summer, the coaching staff started tinkering with different ideas for utilizing me alongside another 7-footer in Vlad Goldin," Wolf said. "Dusty May and I watched a lot of NBA film, guys like Lauri Markkanen, Alperen Sengun, and Karl-Anthony Towns operating next to Rudy Gobert. I had some reservations in the process of what it would look like, but coach laid out his vision and really believed in me. I am happy it worked out."

"The biggest emphasis for me was being able to defend power forwards," Wolf said. "That was a deal-breaker, allowing us to play in two-big lineups with another 7-footer. Once I showed that I could defend on the perimeter, I was able to start expanding every part of my game. Moving forward, I want to show more of my shooting from different spots and with different looks. I know I can do much more there, especially in catch-and-shoot situations."

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