Danny Wolf and Jase Richardson make history with NBA draft selections
- Danny Wolf and Jase Richardson were selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft on June 25.
- Wolf, who transferred from Yale, was picked by the Brooklyn Nets, while Richardson was drafted by the Orlando Magic.
- Both players represent a significant milestone for Israeli basketball as they join the NBA.
In the United States, on June 25, 2025, Danny Wolf from the University of Michigan and Jase Richardson from Michigan State University were both selected in the first round of the NBA draft. Wolf was picked 27th overall by the Brooklyn Nets, while Richardson was chosen 25th overall by the Orlando Magic. Before joining Michigan, Wolf played two seasons at Yale, where he excelled and earned first-team All-Ivy League honors during his sophomore year. He was also a member of the Israeli national team that won a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA championship. At Michigan, he significantly contributed to the team's performance, starting in all 37 games in the season. His average results included 13.2 points and 3.6 assists per game, and he was recognized with All-Big Ten team honors, alongside being a finalist for the Karl Malone Award for Power Forward of the Year in 2025. Conversely, Richardson, who had a promising freshman year at Michigan State, was recognized as one of the top players nationally during his high school career. The NBA draft marked a significant moment for both players and the teams that chose them, contributing to the history of basketball in Israel, with Wolf being an Israeli-American. This moment was described as a dream scenario not only for Wolf, who was ecstatic to be drafted after transferring from Yale, but also for Richardson, as both young men aimed to make a significant impact in the NBA. Their selections denote a pivotal moment for the Brooklyn Nets and the Orlando Magic as they continue to build their respective rosters with young talent.