The Yale Bulldogs are making waves beyond the Ivy League, as three of their former basketball standouts are now headed to the NBA.
Danny Wolf, John Poulakidas, and Bez Mbeng — key players in Yale’s recent rise to national relevance — will all be joining NBA teams this summer.
Wolf, a 7-foot forward who transferred to Michigan for the 2024–25 season, was selected 27th overall by the Brooklyn Nets during Wednesday night’s NBA Draft. He becomes the first Yale player to be taken in the first round since 1949.
“It’s a dream come true,” Wolf said during his interview on ESPN. “It’s really hard to put into words. I worked so hard to get here.”
Before transferring, Wolf helped Yale capture the 2024 Ivy League title and notch a historic upset over Auburn in the NCAA Tournament. At Michigan, he averaged 13.2 points and 9.7 rebounds, showcasing the same dominance that made him a standout in New Haven.
Meanwhile, two of Wolf’s former teammates — Poulakidas and Mbeng — have signed NBA Summer League contracts. Poulakidas, Yale’s sharpshooting guard who led the Ivy League in scoring with 19.4 points per game, will join the Los Angeles Clippers. His 87 three-pointers this season were the second-most in Yale history, and his career total of 243 ranks second all-time at the school.
Mbeng, known for his relentless defense and leadership, signed with the Golden State Warriors. The Maryland native made Ivy League history as the first player to win both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season. He wrapped up his college career with a school-record 195 steals and 449 assists — second-most in Yale history — while averaging 13 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this past season.
Mbeng will suit up for the Warriors in the California Classic at Chase Center on July 5, 6, and 8, and both he and Poulakidas are slated to compete in the Las Vegas Summer League from July 10–20.
Yale head coach James Jones expressed pride in his former players.
“I’m so excited for Bez, John, and Danny as they start their NBA journeys,” Jones said. “All three men are extremely hard workers, and I’m looking forward to their growth and accomplishments.”
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.