Dave Wohl

❧

Wikipedia

Dave Wohl
Personal information
Born (1949-11-02) November 2, 1949 (age 76)
Queens, New York, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High schoolEast Brunswick
(East Brunswick, New Jersey)
CollegePenn (1968–1971)
NBA draft1971: 3rd round, 46th overall pick
Drafted byPhiladelphia 76ers
Playing career1971–1977
PositionPoint guard
Number13, 11, 15
Coaching career1978–2011
Career history
Playing
1971–1972Philadelphia 76ers
1972Portland Trail Blazers
1972–1974Buffalo Braves
1974–1977Houston Rockets
1977New York / New Jersey Nets
Coaching
1978–1979New Jersey Nets (assistant)
1979Philadelphia Fox
1980–1982Milwaukee Bucks (assistant)
1982–1985Los Angeles Lakers (assistant)
1985–1988New Jersey Nets
1988–1991Miami Heat (assistant)
1992–1993Sacramento Kings (assistant)
1993–1994Los Angeles Clippers (assistant)
1998–1999Los Angeles Lakers (assistant)
1999–2003Orlando Magic (assistant)
2004–2007Boston Celtics (assistant)
2009–2011Minnesota Timberwolves (assistant)
Career highlights
As assistant coach:
Career NBA statistics
Points2,553 (6.2 ppg)
Rebounds558 (1.4 rpg)
Assists1,397 (3.4 apg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

David Bruce Wohl (born November 2, 1949) is an American former basketball player and coach, and the former general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers. A 6'2" guard who grew up in East Brunswick, New Jersey[1] and played collegiately at the University of Pennsylvania, Wohl was selected in the 3rd round of the 1971 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He played for six different teams over a seven-year career, including the 76ers, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Buffalo Braves, the Houston Rockets and the New York/New Jersey Nets.

Early life

Wohl was born on November 2, 1949, in Flushing, New York.[2] His father was Jewish and mother Protestant. His father taught Wohl to find the good in people of all backgrounds.[3] He attended East Brunswick High School, in East Brunswick, New Jersey. He was a quarterback on the school's football team, and was named first-team All-Middlesex County in 1966, for both his running and passing ability. He averaged 10.7 yards per carry, ran for 14 touchdowns and led the county in scoring, passed for nine touchdowns, and had over 2,000 yards in total offense. The other first-team All-County quarterback that year was future NFL quarterback Joe Theismann.[4][5] This was the second year Wohl had been named first-team All-County in football.[6]

In 1966-67, as a 6 ft (1.83 m) 165 lb (74.8) senior guard, the left-handed Wohl was a unanimous selection as first-team All-Middlesex County in basketball as well. As a senior, he set school records for points in a season (499) and total career points (976). He also set school season records for foul shooting, assists and steals. This was his second season being named first-team All-County in basketball.[7][6]

In May 1967, he was selected Middlesex County's Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the county's coaches. In addition to his football and basketball prowess, academically Wohl graduated 16th in a class of 401 students; and was an A- student and a member of the National Honor Society. Wohl was also a member of the track and field team, participating in the pole vault, high jump and long jump.[6]

College career

Wohl attend the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). He played one year on the freshman basketball team, and played varsity basketball at Penn from 1968 to 1971.[8] As a guard on Penn's freshman basketball team (1967-68), he averaged 12.5 points per game, second highest on the team. Wohl's freshman coach, Digger Phelps, considered Wohl one of Penn's best defensive players and would assign him to defend the opposing team's toughest guard.[9]

As a sophomore (1968-69), Wohl led Penn with a 16.1 points per game average, followed by fellow sophomore guard Steve Bilsky at 14.5 points per game.[10] He was named first-team All-Ivy League.[11] He was also an honorable mention All-Big Five.[12] As a junior (1969-70), Wohl's scoring average was 14 points per game. With the addition of sophomore forwards Corky Calhoun and Bob Morse to the 1969-70 team, Wohl took less shots as a junior (11.8 per game) than he did as a sophomore (15.2 per game).[13][12] The team also went from third in the Ivy League in 1968-69, with a 10–4 conference record,[14] to first; with a perfect 14–0 conference record.[15] The 1969-70 Penn team had a 25–2 overall record. They lost to Niagara in the first round of the 1970 NCAA tournament, 79–69. Wohl had 11 points and five rebounds in that game.[16] Penn finished the season ranked No. 13 by the Associated Press.[17]

As a senior (1970-71), Wohl was second on the team in scoring (15.3 points per game) to Morse (15.4 points per game). Penn again had a perfect Ivy League record (14–0) and went into the 1971 NCAA tournament undefeated (26–0).[18] Penn defeated Duquesne in the first round of 70–65, with Wohl scoring 19 points.[19] The Quakers then defeated South Carolina in the East Regional Semifinals, 79–64, with Wohl scoring 20 points.[20] Penn then suffered a shocking loss to Villanova University in the East Regional Final, 90–47, their only loss of the year.[21][22] Villanova reached the 1971 NCAA championship game, losing to UCLA, 68–62.[23] Penn finished the season ranked No. 3 by the Associated Press.[24] Wohl was named first-team All-Ivy League, along with teammate Calhoun.[25]

Over his 81 game career at Penn, Wohl averaged 15.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.[26] The Quakers' won-loss record during his three varsity seasons, under head coach Dick Harter, was 68–13.[27]

Professional career

The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Wohl in the third round of the 1971 NBA draft, 46th overall.[28] Wohl started 32 of the 79 games in which he played for the 76ers during his rookie season (1971-72), under head coach Jack Ramsay. On the season, he averaged 20.6 minutes, 8.1 points, 2.9 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game.[29] On October 2, 1972, before the start of the 1972-73 season, he was traded by the 76ers (now coached by Roy Rubin) to the Portland Trail Blazers for Dale Schlueter.[30][31] Through that trade, Wohl avoided being on a 9–73 76ers team that is often considered the worst team in NBA history.[32][33][34]

After playing in 22 games as a backup point guard for the Trail Blazers, in December 1972 he was acquired by the Buffalo Braves on waivers. Jack Ramsay, now with Buffalo, would once again be his head coach. The Braves intended to use Wohl as a backup point guard.[35][36] He played 27.5 minutes per game over 56 games for the Braves that season, averaging 8.8 points, 4.6 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game.[37]

Coaching and executive career

After serving as an assistant coach for the Nets in 1978–1979, Wohl was hired as the head coach of the Philadelphia Fox in the Women's Professional Basketball League for the 1979–80 season.[38] He would later coach the Nets for over two seasons, from 1985 to 1987. In addition, he has been an assistant coach for several teams. He was also the executive vice president of basketball operations for the Miami Heat from 1995 to 1997.[39] From 2004 to 2007, Wohl was an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics. From 2007 to 2009 he was the team's assistant general manager.[40] He was an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2009 to 2011.[41]

On June 16, 2014, Wohl became general manager of the Clippers. The move reunited him with Clippers head coach Doc Rivers; Wohl was an assistant on Rivers' staff in Orlando and Boston.[42] Although Wohl has the title of general manager, he served mostly in an advisory role to Rivers, who as president of basketball operations had the final say on all basketball matters.

In the 2016 NBA Draft, Wohl's draft selections included Forward Brice Johnson in the first round and both Diamond Stone and David Michineau in the 2nd round. Guard David Michineau was not signed for the 2016–17 NBA season following a sub-par NBA Summer League performance with the team in Orlando.

On August 24, 2017, Wohl was replaced by Oklahoma City Thunder assistant general manager Michael Winger.[43]

Legacy and honors

On January 19, 1987, East Brunswick and the New Jersey Nets honored Wohl with a Dave Wohl Day.[44]

Personal life

As a high school student, Wohl taught swimming to children who had suffered brain injuries.[6]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Source[45]

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1971–72 Philadelphia 793220.6.429.7571.92.18.1
1972–73 Portland 2217.9.412.727.93.15.4
1972–73 Buffalo 5627.5.456.7901.64.68.8
1973–74 Buffalo 4114.8.400.700.73.1.8.04.0
1973–74 Houston 2617.3.480.786.74.21.7.06.0
1974–75 Houston 7523.0.439.7451.54.51.0.16.5
1975–76 Houston 5014.0.405.7761.12.2.5.03.4
1976–77 Houston 144.4.4121.000.41.1.0.01.3
1976–77 N.Y. Nets 3725.0.399.6712.13.41.1.27.4
1977–78 New Jersey 1011.8.353.917.41.3.3.03.5
Career 4103219.9.430.7501.43.4.9.16.2

Playoffs

Year Team GP MPG FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1975 Houston 42.01.000–.3.5.3.01.5

Head coaching record

Legend
Regular season G Games coached W Games won L Games lost W–L % Win–loss %
Playoffs PG Playoff games PW Playoff wins PL Playoff losses PW–L % Playoff win–loss %
Team Year G W L W–L% Finish PG PW PL PW–L% Result
New Jersey 1985–86 823943.4763rd in Atlantic003.000 Lost in First Round
New Jersey 1986–87 822458.2984th in Atlantic———— Missed Playoff
New Jersey 1987–88 15213.133(Fired)———— —
Career 17965114.363303.000

References

  1. ↑ via Associated Press. "Nets hire Dave Wohl", The Lewiston Journal, August 10, 1985. Accessed February 13, 2011. "Wohl, a native of East Brunswick, N.J. and a former player with the Nets, has yet to officially sign a contract."
  2. ↑ "Dave Wohl Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  3. ↑ "'Wearing the Same Jersey Doesn't Make You a Team'". The Daily Coach. April 19, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Wohl, Pernick, Versacki Head All-County". The Sunday Home News (New Brunswick, New Jersey). December 11, 1966. p. 41.
  5. ↑ "Joe Theismann Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "East Brunswick's Wohl Named Scholar-Athlete of The Year". The Home News (New Brunswick, New Jersey). May 23, 1967. p. 27.
  7. ↑ "The Best In Middlesex, Somogyi, Williams, Larsen, Wohl, Fitzgerald". The Sunday Home News (New Brunswick, New Jersey). March 26, 1967. p. 25.
  8. ↑ "Dave Wohl College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  9. ↑ O'Rourke, Pete (March 17, 1968). "Out on the Limb". The Sunday Home News (New Brunswick, New Jersey). p. 25.
  10. ↑ "1968-69 Penn Quakers Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Men's All-Ivy League Winners". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Levine, Barry (January 11, 1970). "Wohl Thinks Ahead–To Tourney". The Sunday Home News (New Brunswick, New Jersey). pp. C-2.
  13. ↑ "1969-70 Penn Quakers Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  14. ↑ "1968-69 Men's Ivy League Season Summary". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  15. ↑ "1969-70 Men's Ivy League Season Summary". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Pennsylvania vs. Niagara Box Score (Men), March 7, 1970". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  17. ↑ "1970-71 Men's College Basketball AP Polls". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  18. ↑ "1970-71 Penn Quakers Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Pennsylvania vs. Duquesne Box Score (Men), March 13, 1971". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  20. ↑ "South Carolina vs. Pennsylvania Box Score (Men), March 18, 1971". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Villanova vs. Pennsylvania Box Score (Men), March 20, 1971". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Villanova Shocks Penn, 90–47". The Pittsburgh Press. March 21, 1971. pp. 2, Sec. 4.
  23. ↑ "Villanova vs. UCLA Box Score (Men), March 27, 1971". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Pennsylvania vs. Niagara Box Score (Men), March 7, 1970". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Men's All-Ivy League Winners". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Dave Wohl College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Pennsylvania Quakers Men's Basketball Index". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  28. ↑ "1971 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  29. ↑ "1971-72 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  30. ↑ "76ers Trade Wohl (Published 1972)". October 3, 1972. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  31. ↑ Dolson, Frank (October 5, 1972). "Aw, Come On Roy, It's Not the Press". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 29.
  32. ↑ Frommer, Frederic J. (February 21, 2023). "The worst team in NBA history doesn't want to be forgotten". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  33. ↑ Olivieri, Anthony (July 10, 2023). "What the worst team in NBA history learned about losing". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Looking Back on the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers". NBC Sports Philadelphia. April 27, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  35. ↑ Northrup, Milt (December 7, 1972). "Braves Get Backup Help At Guard in Wohl Deal". The Buffalo Evening News. p. 77.
  36. ↑ "Braves Take Dave Wohl". Oregon Journal (Portland, Oregon). December 7, 1972. pp. 4, sec. 4M.
  37. ↑ "1972-73 Buffalo Braves Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  38. ↑ "WBL". Sports Illustrated. October 15, 1979. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  39. ↑ "NBA Timberwolves Basketball Operations Staff | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES". Nba.com. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  40. ↑ Spears, Marc J. (May 19, 2008). "James: Tough call after hard loss". The Boston Globe.
  41. ↑ "Dave Wohl". NBA.com. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  42. ↑ "CLIPPERS RESTRUCTURE BASKETBALL OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT". Los Angeles Clippers.
  43. ↑ "Sources: OKC's Winger agrees to Clips' GM job". August 23, 2017.
  44. ↑ Haley, Gene (January 11, 1987). "Architect of Mets' championship will be honored by sportswriters". The Home News (New Brunswick, New Jersey). pp. C8.
  45. ↑ "Dave Wohl NBA stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 27, 2024.