Danny Wolf makes NBA leap with Brooklyn Nets while Jake Wolf’s heartfelt reaction captures millions online

Danny Wolf was picked as the Brooklyn Nets’ 27th overall choice and created a buzz of emotions. But it wasn’t Danny, the towering 7-foot forward, who made headlines—it was his older brother, Jake Wolf, who took center stage.

Cameras recorded Jake crying at Barclays Center, and his heartfelt reaction rapidly became a sensation online. This isn’t just about a draft pick—it represents family, hard work, and dreams coming true.

A moment of pure emotion eclipses the draft stage

The draft night wasn’t solely about Danny Wolf; it was also a significant moment for Jake Wolf, a former player from Washington University in St. Louis. As the announcer proclaimed, “Danny Wolf, Brooklyn Nets,” everything seemed to pause.

Jake, surrounded by family at Barclays Center, buried his face in his hands, clearly moved to tears. Monica McNutt from ESPN even remarked during the live coverage that he was “still trying to regain his composure.

” This emotional display soon became dubbed a “generational meme,” marking his entry into viral fame.

Danny Wolf’s ascent to the NBA is nothing less than motivational. A towering 7-footer from Glencoe, Illinois, he started his college journey at Yale, where he received first-team All-Ivy League accolades, was named MVP of the Ivy League tournament, and led the league in both rebounds and blocks.

After making the switch to Michigan for the 2024–25 season, he played all 37 games, averaging 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game, with an impressive shooting percentage of 49.7% from the field and 33.6% from three-point range.

This stellar performance made him the Big Ten’s top rebounder and a second-team All-Big Ten selection.

Brooklyn Nets see a versatile frontcourt piece in Wolf

Brooklyn’s choice of Danny Wolf marks their fifth selection in the first round—joining a lineup of guard-oriented picks such as Russian point guard Egor Demin, French wing Nolan Traoré, UNC’s Drake Powell, and Israeli guard Ben Saraf.

The front office likes his physicality, court vision and spacing of Wolf, qualities that have turned him into a modern NBA big, a player who can shoot, pass, steal rebounds and defend the rim.

Being efficient in pick-and-rolling situations and handling the ball is something that makes people notice the difference, unlike other players of his size.

Jake Wolf is no stranger to the competitive side of basketball. Standing tall at 6‑11, he shone at Lake Forest Academy, where he was the team captain and averaged 14 points along with 7 rebounds during his junior year.

He then went on to play two seasons at Washington University (2021–2023), participating in 27 games as a freshman and starting 22 as a sophomore. His response on draft night was filled with emotion — it was personal.

It captured the essence of pride, dedication, and those late nights spent on the court with Danny.Also Read: Cooper Flagg’s $63 million NBA entry sets the stage for a Dallas Mavericks era built on talent and expectationsThe entry of Danny Wolf in the NBA draft became a history in itself and it is the emotional and teary reaction of his brother Jake which had jolted hearts. This emotional scene took the center place of the evening and immediately got out on the internet.