Michigan’s Danny Wolf had been projected to be selected much earlier in the 2025 NBA Draft, with ESPN’s final mock draft predicting him to go 18th overall to the Washington Wizards. But as the night unfolded, the former Wolverine was still on the board deeper into the first round. Ultimately, it was the Brooklyn Nets who called his name at No. 27, giving Wolf his long-awaited entry into the NBA.

The emotional impact of the moment was clear. As Wolf’s name was announced, the cameras caught a heartfelt scene. His brother broke down in tears as he was overwhelmed with pride and joy at Danny’s accomplishment. For the Wolf family, the moment marked the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and belief.

Wolf’s journey to the NBA has been conventional. He spent two seasons playing at Yale before transferring to Michigan for the 2024-2025 season. His lone year with the Wolverines was impressive. Last season, he averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Danny Wolf Embraces Motivation From Late Selection

Despite not being selected as early as projected, Wolf took the experience in stride. After the draft, he expressed his excitement and determination to prove himself.

“I didn’t exactly know how long I would’ve been sitting there for. I don’t know if I would’ve said this long. But it’s what happened & it’s out of my control. I’m just going to use that as a chip on my shoulder as a motivating factor,” he said.

Before Wolf, the Nets used the No. 26 to select Ben Saraf. While Wolf may not have gone as high as some expected, landing with a team like the Nets gives him a solid platform to begin his NBA journey.