What’s next for ‘Area 51?’

The Wolverines’ March Madness run came to an end Friday night, as they fell to the number one overall seed, Auburn, in a 78-65 loss. Not only did this historic season come to a close in the Sweet Sixteen matchup, but so did the collegiate careers of Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf, affectionately referred to as “Area 51.” The two Michigan big men collectively created a 14-foot barrier for any team who deigned to face the Wolverines.

Goldin and Wolf made history, turning heads nationwide as they spent the season working together and using one another to better their own games. Where most seven footers would be competing for the center position, Wolf and Goldin worked hand-in-hand, leading head coach Dusty May’s squad to a Big Ten tournament championship and a Sweet Sixteen appearance after going 8-24 in the 2023-2024 season.

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What’s Next for Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf?

So what’s next for Area 51? With their time in Ann Arbor coming to a triumphant close, it’s onto the next for Wolf and Goldin, both definite prospects for the NBA. Goldin, for one, initially declared for the draft at the end of last season. He ultimately decided to follow his head coach, May, to play center for one more season, this time in Maize and Blue—and man are we glad he did. If he already thought he was ready for the next level at this time last year, Goldin’s possibilities are endless going into the 2025 draft.

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As for Wolf, his versatility is his biggest asset. At seven feet tall, he’s a classic center no doubt, but he’s also more than capable of running the point, too. Danny Wolf is the kind of player who can morph into whatever position his team needs him to play, and that kind of varied skill set means his ceiling in the NBA is—no pun intended—pretty tall. Though he hasn’t officially declared for the draft just yet, at a press conference following the game, Wolf explained, “Playing at Michigan this year was the greatest honor of my lifetime.”

With all the talent entering the NBA after this college basketball season, it remains to be seen whether Area 51 will be drafted or sign on as free agents. But one thing’s for sure: this will not be the last that Michigan fans see of Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin.

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