Joe Wolf, Former NBA Basketball Star and Coach, Dead at 59: ‘He Will Be Missed’

Mar. 15, 2025

Joe Wolf.Photo:Kevin D. Liles/NBAE via Getty

Kevin D. Liles/NBAE via Getty

TheMilwaukee Journal-Sentinelreportedthat Wolf died of a heart attack.

The newspaper once voted in 2005 that Wolf, a Kohler, Wis., native was the greatest high school basketball player in the state’s history. During his time at Kohler High School, Wolf helped lead his school to three state championships in 1980, 1982, and again in 1983.

Joe Wolf.Ken Levine/NBAE via Getty

Ken Levine/NBAE via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Joe Wolf.Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty

Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty

After his NBA career, Wolf became a coach. He first worked as an assistant coach at William & Mary and UNC Wilmington for one season before joining several teams as a coach in the G-League, the NBA’s developmental league. He coached for the Idaho Stampede and the Colorado 14ers before getting called up to the NBA to work as an assistant coach for the Bucks and later the Brooklyn Nets.

“Off the court, Joe was a beloved brother, uncle, friend and community leader,” the Bucks said in a statement on Thursday. “We send our deepest condolences to Joe’s family and friends. The Bucks and Herd will always be grateful to Joe for his hard work and commitment to our organization. He will be missed.”

source: people.com