Joe Wolfe, who rose to stardom as a North Carolina basketball captain under legendary coach Dean Smith, died earlier this week.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced Wolf’s passing.
“Joe touched many people throughout his life and was a highly respected, respected and dedicated coach and player throughout the NBA,” the Bucks said in a statement Thursday. Wolf was 59 years old.
After leaving North Carolina, Wolf went on to play for several NBA teams for 11 years. He then moved into coaching, working as an assistant with the Bucs’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The Milwaukee Bucks announced that Joe Wolf, the former North Carolina State captain who played for and coached seven teams during his 11-year NBA career, died suddenly on Thursday. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
“Off the court, Joe was a beloved brother, uncle, friend, and community leader,” the Bucks’ statement continued. “We extend our deepest condolences to Joe’s family and friends. The Bucs and Herd will always be grateful for Joe’s hard work and contributions to our organization. He will be missed. .”
Wolfe was an All-American in high school in 1983 before joining the Tar Heels to play alongside Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins. Wolfe served as co-captain of the Tar Heels as a senior in 1986-1987, sharing the role with Kenny Smith.
North Carolina State went 115-22 in Wolf’s four seasons, reaching the Sweet 16 twice and the Elite Eight twice during that span. Wolfe credited Smith with instilling important skills in him from the beginning of his college career.
American star Greco-Roman wrestler Alan Vera (33) dies from complications due to cardiac arrest
“I think I started training from the moment I stepped on campus,” Wolf told the Greensboro News and Record in 2018. “Coach Smith was focused on developing good habits, which has helped me where I am today.”


North Carolina’s Joe Wolfe, 24, hits Villanova’s Gary McClain, 22, and Harold during early action of the NCAA Southeast Regional Finals on March 24, 1985 in Birmingham, Alabama.・Stopped by Jensen (32 years old). (AP Photo/File)
He was named All-ACC in 1987 and finished his career at the University of North Carolina with 1,231 points. The Los Angeles Clippers selected Wolf with the 13th pick in the 1987 draft. He spent three seasons with the organization before joining the Denver Nuggets in 1991, and went on to play for five more franchises.
According to the Bucs, Wolf led Kohler High School to three Wisconsin state championships, and in 2005, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel named him the greatest high school basketball player in state history.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He coached at the collegiate level as an assistant at William & Mary and UNC Wilmington, was a head coach in what is now called the G League in Idaho, Colorado and Greensboro, and was an NBA assistant in Milwaukee and Brooklyn. He was hired in 2023. As Hurd’s G League assistant.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow sports coverage on Fox News Digital’s X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.