Former LA Clippers player and Wisconsin High School legend Joe Wolf tragically dies at 59

Former NBA player and Wisconsin High School legend Joe Wolf died at the age of 59 due to a heart attack, according to Sports Illustrated. Wolf played for nine teams in the NBA and started his professional career in 1987, when he was 23.

Wolf was drafted 13th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in 1987, where he played for three seasons and started 60 of 185 games. He also played for the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Portland Trailblazers, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks. He finished his playing career in 1999 at the Hornets.

He also spent 25 years as a coach for college, the Chinese Basketball Association, the G League and the NBA. The former Milwaukee forward also became their assistant coach (2008–13). The X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Bucks released a statement:

"Throughout his life, Joe touched many lives and was a highly respected, adored and dedicated coach and player across the NBA," said the Bucks. "His well-regarded talent was instrumental for the Bucks and Herd over eight years with the organization, including as a player and coach."

According to a poll conducted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, Joe Wolf was voted as the greatest high school basketball player in the history of Wisconsin.

"With his size and skills, he was the best I've seen," said Milwaukee Tech's coach. "He was in the state tournament at the same time we were and I went to see him play at Sheboygan. He had a heck of a following and a heck of a career. I just look at him as one of the most complete players I've ever seen."

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Joe Wolf's professional career

Joe Wolf averaged 5.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 40.9% from the field.

He moved to the Denver Nuggets in 1990 and played 141 games, averaging 5.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 42% from the field. In the 1992-93 season, Joe Wolf represented the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trailblazers, playing 23 games and scoring 2.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.2 assists per contest. After which he did not play in the NBA in the 1993-94 season.

From 1994 to 1996, Joe Wolf played for the Hornets and Magic, averaging 3.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.2 steals in 127 games. The last three years of his playing career were spent at the Bucks, Nuggets and Hornets, where he played 116 games, scoring 1.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.