Joe Wolf has been voted the most impactful high school boys basketball player in Wisconsin history, receiving 326 votes. He is known for scoring over 2,000 career points and winning three state championships with Kohler High School.
Key points
Joe Wolf voted most impactful player in Wisconsin high school history
Received 326 votes in a reader poll
Scored over 2,000 career points
Helped Kohler win three state championships
Named a McDonald's All-American
Joe WolfKohler High School
On May 8, we debuted the second in a series of reader polls asking who you consider the best high school boys basketball players in Wisconsin history, with 10 primary suggestions. We received more than 2,500 votes, and here's how people voted:
Joe Wolf voted as most impactful player in Wisconsin high school boys basketball history
Perhaps it should not be a surprise former Kohler star Joe Wolf was the readerâs choice for the best boys basketball player in state history after receiving 326 votes.
Although Wolf graduated high school 43 years ago and there have been dozens of notable prep players in Wisconsin since that time, his resume continues to stand out.
He is one of 60 players in state history to score more than 2,000 career points. He played a key role in Kohler winning three state championships. He was even a McDonaldâs All-American.
Wolf even checked all the boxes when it came to his basketball career after Kohler.
He played in college at the University of North Carolina and then spent 11 seasons in the NBA.
While Wolf was the top choice, he wasnât the only popular one.
Hereâs how you voted.
Kohler's Joe Wolf (43) always stood out in a crowd, including by readers who selected him as the best high school boys basketball player in state history.
Kohler's Joe Wolf (43) always stood out in a crowd, including by readers who selected him as the best high school boys basketball player in state history.
OUR 10:
Joe Wolf, Kohler: 326
Mickey Crowe, St. Nazianz JFK Prep: 217
Sam Dekker, Sheboygan Lutheran: 193
Fred Brown, Milwaukee Lincoln: 185
Q&A
What are Joe Wolf's achievements in high school basketball?
Joe Wolf scored over 2,000 career points and played a key role in Kohler winning three state championships.
How many votes did Joe Wolf receive in the poll?
Joe Wolf received 326 votes in the reader poll for the most impactful high school boys basketball player in Wisconsin.
When did Joe Wolf graduate high school?
Joe Wolf graduated high school 43 years ago.
What recognition did Joe Wolf receive during his high school career?
Joe Wolf was named a McDonald's All-American during his high school basketball career.
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Kon Knueppel, Wisconsin Lutheran: 179
Tony Bennett, Green Bay Preble: 175
Anthony Pieper, Wausaukee: 172
Jim Chones, Racine St. Catherineâs: 142
Don Kojis, Milwaukee Notre Dame: 31
John Johnson, Milwaukee Messmer: 29
Here are the other names suggested as the most impactful in Wisconsin history
With the option to select someone other than our group of 10, we received 173 submissions, including many who received more than one vote.
Whitefish Bay's Matthew Schoenefeldt (5) takes the tipoff from Slinger's Jack Kohnen (3) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Whitefish Bay's Jack Broderson (4) attempts to steal from Slinger's Bryson Fogle (5) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Slinger's Joey Kohnen (1) elevates for a shot over Whitefish Bay's Matthew Schoenefeldt (5) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Whitefish Bay's Colin Julien (13) elevates for three over Slinger's Bryson Fogle (5) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Whitefish Bay boys basketball head coach Ryan Fiet calls in a play during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game against Slinger on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Slinger's Colton Mantz (2) tries for three against Whitefish Bay during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Slinger boys basketball head coach Alex Lavine applauds his team during during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game against Whitefish Bay on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Whitefish Bay's Matthew Schoenefeldt (5) tries for three against Slinger during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Slinger's Bryson Fogle (5) elevates for three against Whitefish Bay during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Whitefish Bay's Marcus Webb (3) works to get around Slinger's Joey Kohnen (1) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Whitefish Bay's Colin Julien (13) elevates for three over Slinger's Joey Kohnen (1) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Slinger's Joey Kohnen (1) tries for three against Whitefish Bay during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Slinger's Bryson Fogle (5) works to get around Whitefish Bay's Jack Broderson (4) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Whitefish Bay's Colin Julien (13) blocks a shot by Slinger's Colton Mantz (2) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
1 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Whitefish Bay's Matthew Schoenefeldt (5) takes the tipoff from Slinger's Jack Kohnen (3) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
1 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Whitefish Bay's Matthew Schoenefeldt (5) takes the tipoff from Slinger's Jack Kohnen (3) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
2 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Whitefish Bay's Jack Broderson (4) attempts to steal from Slinger's Bryson Fogle (5) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
3 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Slinger's Joey Kohnen (1) elevates for a shot over Whitefish Bay's Matthew Schoenefeldt (5) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
4 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Whitefish Bay's Colin Julien (13) elevates for three over Slinger's Bryson Fogle (5) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
5 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Whitefish Bay boys basketball head coach Ryan Fiet calls in a play during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game against Slinger on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
6 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Slinger's Colton Mantz (2) tries for three against Whitefish Bay during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
7 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Slinger boys basketball head coach Alex Lavine applauds his team during during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game against Whitefish Bay on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
8 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Whitefish Bay's Matthew Schoenefeldt (5) tries for three against Slinger during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
9 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Slinger's Bryson Fogle (5) elevates for three against Whitefish Bay during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
10 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Whitefish Bay's Marcus Webb (3) works to get around Slinger's Joey Kohnen (1) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
11 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Whitefish Bay's Colin Julien (13) elevates for three over Slinger's Joey Kohnen (1) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
12 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Slinger's Joey Kohnen (1) tries for three against Whitefish Bay during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
13 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Slinger's Bryson Fogle (5) works to get around Whitefish Bay's Jack Broderson (4) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
14 / 14
Slinger vs. Whitefish Bay in WIAA D2 boys basketball state championship
Whitefish Bay's Colin Julien (13) blocks a shot by Slinger's Colton Mantz (2) during the WIAA Division 2 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens (23) breaks around Madison Memorial's Cole Slack (5) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Lutheran's Jamail Sewell (32) elevates for two against Madison Memorial during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Lutheran's Riley Walz (2) tries for three against Madison Memorial during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Lutheran's Kager Knueppel (1) is blocked by Madison Memorial's Andrew Braun (11) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Lutheran students cheer on their team against Madison Memorial during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Madison Memorial's Caleb Liggon (4) steals a pass from Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens (23) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Lutheran's Jamail Sewell (32) is fouled under the hoop during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game against Madison Memorial on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Lutheran's Jamail Sewell (32) shoots from the line against Madison Memorial during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Madison Memorial's Kimyora Cross Jr (32) elevates for two against Wisconsin Lutheran during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Lutheran's Kendall Newman (24) breaks for the paint against Madison Memorial during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Madison Memorial's Lavonte Johnson (15) grabs a rebound from Wisconsin Lutheran's Kager Knueppel (1) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Lutheran's Kager Knueppel (1) breaks past Madison Memorial's Lavonte Johnson (15) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens (23) elevates for three over Madison Memorial's Cole Slack (5) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Madison Memorial students cheer for their team during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game against Wisconsin Lutheran on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
1 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens (23) breaks around Madison Memorial's Cole Slack (5) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
1 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens (23) breaks around Madison Memorial's Cole Slack (5) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
2 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran's Jamail Sewell (32) elevates for two against Madison Memorial during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
3 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran's Riley Walz (2) tries for three against Madison Memorial during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
4 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran's Kager Knueppel (1) is blocked by Madison Memorial's Andrew Braun (11) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
5 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran students cheer on their team against Madison Memorial during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
6 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Madison Memorial's Caleb Liggon (4) steals a pass from Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens (23) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
7 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran's Jamail Sewell (32) is fouled under the hoop during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game against Madison Memorial on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
8 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran's Jamail Sewell (32) shoots from the line against Madison Memorial during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
9 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Madison Memorial's Kimyora Cross Jr (32) elevates for two against Wisconsin Lutheran during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
10 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran's Kendall Newman (24) breaks for the paint against Madison Memorial during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
11 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Madison Memorial's Lavonte Johnson (15) grabs a rebound from Wisconsin Lutheran's Kager Knueppel (1) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
12 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran's Kager Knueppel (1) breaks past Madison Memorial's Lavonte Johnson (15) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
13 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens (23) elevates for three over Madison Memorial's Cole Slack (5) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
14 / 14
Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Madison Memorial in WIAA D1 boys basketball state championship
Madison Memorial students cheer for their team during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game against Wisconsin Lutheran on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
