Former NBA legend and famous coach Joe Wolf passed away at the age of 59. Associated Press reported.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced that Wolf passed away “unexpectedly” on Thursday. The cause of death was not made public. At the time of his death, Wolf was an assistant coach with the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks' G League affiliate.
“Joe touched many lives throughout his life and was a highly respected, beloved and dedicated coach and player throughout the NBA,” the Bucks said in a statement. “His well-respected talent was crucial to the Bucks and Herd during his eight years with the organization, including as a player and coach.”
Wolf was Dean Smith's captain at North Carolina before being drafted into the NBA. Buck played for seven teams during his 11-year, 13-season career in the association, including the Boston Celtics, LA Clippers and Orlando Magic. He later turned to coaching, using the skills he and Smith developed throughout their careers to train the next generation of basketball players.
“I like to think that I started getting an education the moment I stepped on campus,” Wolf said. Greensboro News and Records in 2018 (via New York Post). “Coach Smith's goal was to establish the right habits. “This benefits me today.”
Wolf was considered one of the best players to come out of Wisconsin. In 2005, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel declared him the state's best high school basketball player of all time.