Danny Wolf, the 7-foot big man from Michigan, has been a polarizing prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft conversation, particularly regarding his defensive impact. His unique skill set—a combination of size, mobility, and perimeter shooting—has drawn attention, but his defense remains a topic of debate.
Is it underrated due to his versatility, or is his reputation inflated by his offensive upside?
Danny Wolf’s Defense: Overlooked or Overrated?
The issue is more controversial than it seems, and the proof is that Reddit does not stop talking about it. Fans are far from agreeing on this point, which could have a decisive influence on their choices during the upcoming draft.
Is Danny Wolf’s defense being massively overlooked?
byu/_Gibby__ inNBA_Draft
Let’s take a look at some of the opinions:
“Absolutely not it was just helped by a good defensive scheme. brother was out of position more than anybody in that team. chases every block. very bad feel on that end. has some fun lateral movement moments but thats it,” one commenter said. “God forbid they ask him to be a traditional 5 defensively.”
“He is center sized but not an explosive athlete or big time rim deterrent, however just as players can slow the game down offensively the same can be said for defense, although to a lesser extent of course,” another fan said. “If he can be a neutral defensively in the NBA it would be huge for him as far as getting playtime.”
“I don’t think it’s being overlooked,” one user wrote. “Athletically, he will struggle against more mobile NBA 4s and 5s, depending on which you think he is. However, I do wonder if the degree to which he’ll struggle has been slightly overblown. Same for Queen tbh. Like, will these guys hang their hat on defense? No. But I don’t think they’ll be terrible.”
ESPN predicts that Wolf will be selected with the No. 19 overall pick, which would put him in the orbit of the Brooklyn Nets.
Such a high ranking on the list of available prospects in the draft is no accident, and his defense has a lot to do with it.
Wolf’s biggest defensive selling point is his ability to guard multiple positions. At 7’0” with decent lateral quickness, he can switch onto smaller players in pick-and-roll situations better than most traditional centers. His length (reportedly a 7’3” wingspan) allows him to contest shots effectively, both inside and on the perimeter.
While not an elite shot-blocker (1.1 blocks per game in his NCAA career), Wolf has solid timing and uses his size well to alter shots. His positioning and awareness in drop coverage improved over his college career, but he lacks the explosive verticality of a true NBA rim protector.
What he is for sure is a strong defensive rebounder (career 6.1 defensive rebounds per game), using his frame to box out and secure possessions. This is a translatable NBA skill, especially for a team that needs size.
Against quicker guards or elite athletes, Wolf can struggle in space. He’s not a lockdown perimeter defender, and stronger bigs can bully him in the post. His lack of elite explosiveness limits his weak-side shot-blocking upside.
Switchability is highly valued in the modern NBA, and Wolf’s ability to hedge and recover is better than many traditional centers.
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On the other hand, his IQ and positioning could make him a solid team defender in the right system. Last but not least, his offensive skills (shooting, passing) may allow him to stay on the floor longer, masking some defensive limitations.
However, if scouts assume he can be a full-time NBA 5, his lack of elite rim protection could be exposed. He may struggle against elite NBA athletes, particularly in transition or against dynamic pick-and-roll guards.
The bottom line is that Wolf’s defense is likely underrated by casual observers who focus solely on his offensive game, but it may be overrated by some draft analysts who overstate his switchability.
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