Celtics Officially Sign 7-7 Big Man Tacko Fall
By Max Scoli
It's official -- though we were worried he wouldn't have a role, Brad Stevens simply wouldn't have it.
Following camp, the Boston Celtics have signed undrafted rookie Tacko Fall out of the University of Central Florida.
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— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) July 25, 2019
The Celtics announce that they have signed Tacko Fall. pic.twitter.com/pWpsz4PQt3
The former AAC Defensive Player of the Year has made noise as an NBA prospect for his very rare size. The 7-7 center nearly broke every measurement mark at the NBA Combine, leading several teams to pursue him as a potential addition to their Summer League rosters.
UCF's Tacko Fall official measurements at the NBA Combine: 7'5 1/4 without shoes, 7'7 with shoes, 289 pounds, 8'2 1/4 wingspan, 10'2 1/2 standing reach, 6.8% body fat. Tacko just broke every figure in our database for height, wingspan and reach, dating back to the 80s. ?? pic.twitter.com/xNNwRuKZcK
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 15, 2019
The Celtics won that hunt, and they liked what they saw. In five games of NBA Summer League action, Fall posted 7.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks on 77% shooting in just 12.6 minutes per contest.
The Senegalese center was also effective at UCF, of course, where he averaged 11.1 points, 7.6 boards, and 2.6 blocks per game on 74.8% shooting in his senior year. His season-long production eventually would earn him a spot on the All-AAC Third Team.
Carsen Edwards is 6’1” or 185cms. That’s not short - Unless you’re standing next to 7’7” or 231cm Tacko Fall. Incredible photo. #NBA pic.twitter.com/3O9yTD9En0
— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) July 13, 2019
With the defensively-challenged Enes Kanter set to receive a large role in Boston's rotation with the departure of Al Horford, Fall should slide in nicely as the third-string big man behind Daniel Theis.