Joe Wolf, Former NBA Basketball Star and Coach, Dead at 59: ‘He Will Be Missed’

Wolf was once voted the greatest high school basketball player in Wisconsin state history

Former standout college basketball star Joe Wolf, who played 11 seasons in the NBA before becoming a coach, has died. He was 59.

Wolf’s death was announced on Thursday, Sept. 26 by the Milwaukee Bucks organization, where he was currently a coach for the NBA team’s G-League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.

“The Milwaukee Bucks and Wisconsin Herd are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Herd assistant coach and Kohler native Joe Wolf,” the organization said in a statement. “Throughout his life, Joe touched many lives and was a highly respected, adored and dedicated coach and player across the NBA. His well-regarded talent was instrumental for the Bucks and Herd over eight years with the organization, including as a player and coach.”

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinelreported that Wolf died of a heart attack.

The newspaper once voted in 2005 that Wolf, a Kohler, Wis., native was the greatest high school basketball player in the state’s history. During his time at Kohler High School, Wolf helped lead his school to three state championships in 1980, 1982, and again in 1983.

Related: Carmelo Anthony’s Son Kiyan Says Dad ‘Never Pushes Me’ to ‘Follow in His Footsteps’ In Basketball: ‘I’m My Own Person’

Wolf was recruited to play basketball at North Carolina by famed head coach Dean Smith, where he played his freshman season alongside basketball legend Michael Jordan. Smith later named Wolf a team captain, as the 6-foot-11 power forward went on to eventually average 15.2 points per game by his senior year.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The college standout was selected No. 13 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1987 NBA Draft and went on to play 11 seasons across the league for the Denver Nuggets, the Charlotte Hornets, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Orlando Magic, the Boston Celtics, as well as his hometown Milwaukee Bucks.

Related: Magic Johnson Celebrates 33 Years of Marriage with Wife Cookie: 'I’m Beyond Grateful for Your Heart of Gold'

After his NBA career, Wolf became a coach. He first worked as an assistant coach at William & Mary and UNC Wilmington for one season before joining several teams as a coach in the G-League, the NBA’s developmental league. He coached for the Idaho Stampede and the Colorado 14ers before getting called up to the NBA to work as an assistant coach for the Bucks and later the Brooklyn Nets.

“Off the court, Joe was a beloved brother, uncle, friend and community leader,” the Bucks said in a statement on Thursday. “We send our deepest condolences to Joe’s family and friends. The Bucks and Herd will always be grateful to Joe for his hard work and commitment to our organization. He will be missed.”

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.