You might’ve seen him towers over opponents at seven feet tall, hitting step-back threes like he’s a point guard trapped in a giant's body. If you’ve followed college basketball over the last few years, you know the name. But lately, the question where is Danny Wolf from has been popping up more than his highlight reels.
The answer isn't just a single city on a map.
It’s a mix of a Chicago suburb, a prestigious Massachusetts prep school, and a deep connection to Israel that eventually landed him in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Honestly, his journey is anything but the typical "top-tier recruit" path.
The Glencoe Roots: Where it All Started
Danny Wolf is a product of Glencoe, Illinois. If you aren't familiar with the area, it’s a quiet, scenic suburb about 20 miles north of Chicago. He didn't just wake up seven feet tall, though it probably felt like that to his parents. He grew up in a house where basketball was basically the family language.
His dad, Joe, stands 6'8", and his mom, Tina, was a high school tennis player. Danny’s two older brothers, Josh and Jake, are both 6'10" and played college ball themselves. Basically, the Wolf household was a place where you either learned to rebound or you didn't get seconds at dinner.
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Danny actually started his high school career at Lake Forest Academy in Illinois. Back then, he was "only" 6'3" as a freshman. He was a guard. That’s the secret to why he plays the way he does now. He learned how to handle the ball and see the court before a massive growth spurt turned him into a legitimate rim protector. By the time he was a junior, he’d hit 6'10" and the Division I offers started rolling in.
The Massachusetts Pivot
Even though he's a Midwest kid at heart, Wolf took a big leap for his senior year. He transferred to Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH) in Massachusetts. It’s one of those "hoops factories" that produces serious talent.
At NMH, he wasn't just the tall guy in the corner. He helped lead the team to the finals of both the NEPSAC Triple-A and the national prep championships. It was here that he really polished that "point-center" style. He wasn't just a big body; he was a playmaker.
Where is Danny Wolf From Internationally?
This is where the story gets really interesting. While he was born and raised in the U.S., Danny Wolf is American-Israeli. He’s Jewish and grew up with a strong connection to his heritage—he even went to a Solomon Schechter day school until fifth grade and celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
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In 2023, he obtained Israeli citizenship to represent the country on the international stage.
He didn't just "show up" for Team Israel; he dominated. During the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championships in Greece, he averaged 17.7 points and 12 rebounds a game. He led the tournament in boards and powered Israel to a silver medal. That summer was the turning point. It gave him the confidence to realize he could hang with the best players in the world, not just the Ivy League.
From Yale to the Big House
Wolf’s college path was just as unconventional as his hometown story. He started at Yale, where he went from a bench player as a freshman to the Ivy League Tournament MVP as a sophomore. He was the reason Yale pulled off that massive upset against Auburn in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
But he wanted more. He wanted to prove he could do it in the Big Ten.
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He transferred to the University of Michigan for the 2024-25 season. Playing under Dusty May, he became a "Jokic-lite" figure in Ann Arbor. He led the Big Ten in double-doubles and rebounds, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors from the AP. By the time March Madness 2025 rolled around, he wasn't just a "mid-major star"—he was a projected first-rounder.
Real-World Timeline of the Wolf Journey:
- Childhood: Glencoe, Illinois (The Guard Years)
- Prep School: Northfield Mount Hermon, MA (The Growth Spurt)
- College Phase 1: Yale Bulldogs (The Breakout)
- International: Team Israel (The Silver Medal)
- College Phase 2: Michigan Wolverines (The NBA Launchpad)
- Pro: Brooklyn Nets (27th Overall Pick, 2025)
Why His Origins Matter
When people ask where he's from, they’re usually trying to figure out how a 7-footer has the vision of a 6-foot guard. The answer is Glencoe. It’s those early years as a smaller guard before the height caught up to him.
He’s now making waves with the Brooklyn Nets (and their G-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets). He’s part of a historic moment for the franchise, being drafted alongside Ben Saraf, another Israeli star. For the Jewish community in Miami (where his parents are active leaders) and back in Chicago, he’s become a massive point of pride.
If you’re looking to track his progress, keep an eye on his lateral quickness and his three-point percentage. In the NBA, "stretch bigs" are common, but "passing bigs" with his specific background are rare. He’s a kid from the Chicago suburbs who found his game in Massachusetts, his confidence in Greece, and his stardom in Michigan.
Next Steps for Fans:
To see Danny Wolf’s unique style in action, watch his 2023 FIBA U20 highlights compared to his Michigan Big Ten Tournament tape. You’ll see the evolution of a player who refuses to be pigeonholed by his height. If you're in New York, catch a Long Island Nets game to see his development as he adjusts to the speed of the pro game.