Israelis Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf selected back to back in first round of NBA draft

Israelis Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf were selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the 26th and 27th picks in the NBA Draft on Thursday.

Being chosen in the first round (the top 30 picks) guarantees them a two-year contract in the best basketball league in the world.

The two Israeli players will join Deni Avdija in the NBA next season. Following their selection, it's unlikely the two will be able to play for Team Israel in the European Championship at the end of August and the beginning of September.

Saraf (19), a point guard, is considered a major talent in Israeli basketball. He has played for Elitzur Netanya, Ironi Kiryat Ata, and most recently for Ulm in Germany. He could cap off a dream 24 hours if his team wins the German Championship tonight in their series against Bayern Munich (currently tied 2–2).

Saraf did not attend the draft ceremony in Brooklyn, as he stayed for the decisive game in the series.

In an interview with Kan Reshet Bet just minutes after being drafted, an emotional Saraf said: “I’ve been waiting for this moment for years, and now that it’s happening – there are no words. It’s just amazing, amazing, amazing.”

Asked if he thought the Nets would pick him, he shared: “There had been talks. They came to see me play a few times, they’ve been following me closely for a while, and I’m very, very happy to have been selected by them.”

Regarding the Nets also selecting Danny Wolf, he said: “I think it’s going to be incredible. Not just because we’re both Israelis, but also basketball-wise – he’s a very smart player. I’ve always thought about and imagined what it would be like to play with someone like him, and it’s super exciting.”

Danny Wolf (21) was born to a Jewish-American family in Illinois. He played center for Yale and the University of Michigan.

Wolf also represented Israel’s Under-20 national team, which won the silver medal at the 2023 European Championship. At the draft ceremony, his mother, Tina, wore a pin honoring the hostages.

“My dream has come true,” Wolf said from the arena in Brooklyn after being picked. “It’s really hard to put into words. I worked so hard to get here, and I had an incredible support system. I was lucky just to be able to focus on the work, and I hope Brooklyn knows what they’re getting.”

About his family’s support: “I’m really lucky. They helped me so much and guided me to where I am now. I don’t think there’s a better support system in the world, and I couldn’t have asked for better parents.”

As a reminder, previous Israeli players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft include Omri Casspi (2009, 23rd pick by Sacramento), T.J. Leaf (2017, 17th pick by Indiana), and Deni Avdija (2020, 9th pick by Washington). Gal Mekel also played in the NBA but was not drafted.

As expected, the No. 1 pick in the draft was 18-year-old Cooper Flagg (2.06 m), selected by the Dallas Mavericks.

Amos Frishman, chairman of the Israel Basketball Association, said: “A joyful morning for Israeli basketball. I’m thrilled about Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf being selected in the NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets and joining Deni Avdija in the league. This is the first time in history that two Israelis are selected in the same draft in the first round, and I’m confident both will live up to their selections.”

“Ben Saraf has risen through all of Israel’s youth teams, consistently showing his immense talent, while Danny Wolf was part of the Under-20 team’s 2023 campaign that reached the final. All of Israeli basketball is excited to see them play together and represent the national team in the future.”