(Nick Lalli) – The Jewish population of the NBA tripled last night after Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf were picked in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets. Saraf and Wolf were taken 26th and 27th, respectively, and joined Portland Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija as the most talented trio of Jewish hoopers that the NBA has ever seen.
Saraf, 19, is from Moshav Ometz in Israel and has had great success in Europe, having averaged 12 points and four assists per game for the German club Ratiopharm Ulm last year. Saraf has represented Israel at the national level, leading the Israeli under-18 national team to a fourth place finish at the 2024 FIBA U18 Eurobasket. Saraf led the tournament in scoring at 28 points per game and was named the MVP.
Wolf, 21, was born in Glencoe, Illinois and attended Jewish day school until 5th grade. He also keeps kosher and had his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Wolf starred at the University of Michigan last year, where he averaged a near double double and led the team to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s College Basketball tourney. He has also represented Israel at the international level, leading Israel’s national under-20 team to a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship.
Saraf and Wolf were drafted by a rebuilding Nets team with a bevy of young players that will all compete for playing time next year. Saraf at six foot six inches profiles as a dynamic ball handler and playmaker who needs to improve his three point shooting to thrive at the NBA level. Wolf at six foot eleven inches is a versatile big man who can score around the basket, stretch the floor, rebound at a high level, and pass extremely well for a center.
As first round selections, each will receive guaranteed contracts and are both projected to make about $12 million dollars over four years. Both are expected to debut for the Nets in a few weeks in Las Vegas at the NBA Summer League. Saraf is still playing in Germany, as his team plays in the deciding game 5 of the German playoff finals today against Bayern Munich.
Jewish basketball fans should look forward to this upcoming NBA season when Saraf, Wolf, and the Nets face off against Avdija and the Trail Blazers. This matchup will mark the first time that Jewish hoopers have faced off since Omri Caspi and Gal Mekel took the court against one another in 2014.
Nick Lalli is an avid sports fan from Atlanta, Georgia. Nick is a fan of the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
