(Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)
May 25, 2017 at The Venue
Availability: C Tacko Fall
Fall’s decision to return to the University of Central Florida was a last-minute one.
It was a last-minute decision. That’s why I kinda got dragged into—on the 24. It could’ve been either way. But I had a meeting with [head coach Johnny Dawkins] and did what I thought was best.
For Fall, working on his game and helping UCF reach unprecedented heights were his main reasons for coming back.
Just after getting all the feedback I needed, I really could’ve gone either way, but, in my mind, just staying another year and continuing to develop wouldn’t hurt. Next year I’ll be a lot better, so I’ll be even more ready.
I feel like just having another year, working on my game wouldn’t hurt at all. And while I’m doing it, I want to help this team help accomplish even greater things.
Fall worked out for five teams: the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets.
They…said they would love to see me make another jump, which they know I will, and they taught me things they thought would translate to the next level, like, for my size, I move pretty well, run pretty well. They want to see me adding to my offensive repertoire, being able to move laterally a lot better, but they say that I’m on the right track.
While working out with five NBA teams, Fall gained significant confidence.
I’ve seen those guys, and I played against the ones that are here on campus, and I know that they’re not better than them. And I went against those guys and seen that they were not better than me, so just seeing that made me more confident that we can do it.
For Fall, the ceiling for UCF basketball is “very high.”
I think it’s very high. You guys even haven’t seen what we have seen all year last year, but, pretty soon, you will see that this team should go really far next year.
The most informative advice Fall got while away on his workouts regarded confidence.
I mean, I took a lot of things. First, probably the biggest thing was the confidence thing. And then second, I just realized, like, all the things I need to work on, other things that I need to improve on. And back then I knew, but now I can see it.
While working out for the Lakers, Fall met Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson.
He was awesome. I don’t think he barely talked about basketball. I guess he knew that everybody tries to talk about basketball, so it wasn’t really much about basketball, but when I saw him, I didn’t expect him to be there. So when I saw him come into the gym, I was like, “Oh, that’s Magic Johnson,” and then he was there the whole workout, and, afterwards, he’s the one that actually say, “Let’s take a picture.” So he took a picture with everybody, and it was a great experience.
When Fall got to the United States, he began to fall in love with basketball and saw the NBA as a dream.
I would say when I got here to the States and just started falling in love with the game and starting to be more competitive. I started wanting to compete at the highest level. So, the more love that was growing into me, the more I wanted to play in the NBA.
Entering his freshman season at UCF, Fall said he was focused on his education and said he would rather be Steve Jobs than LeBron James.
My mindset hasn’t changed at all. I mean, like I said, even though I said it in the interview, the NBA will be a great tool for me to be able to do the same things that were done for me, like helping others from my country, helping them with education, to sports, and I think the NBA would be a great channel for me to do that.
For next year, the process of entering the NBA draft will be easier because he knows what to expect.
Now I know what to expect. I mean, coming into this whole process, I was very nervous ‘cus I didn’t know what to expect. And I was like, “Man, this is the NBA.” But now that I’ve been through it, I know what to expect. I’ll be very confident.
Fall’s summer plans will revolve around fitness, just as it did last summer.
Just the same things that I did last year. I think even more. I mean, last year, I think the staff did a pretty good job of getting me ready, helping me having the best shape that I could. So, do those same things and just adding more stuff. I may go travel a little bit more, try to play against some guys and come back and just keep working.
Just the same things even adding more to my conditioning. Speed, working on offense and also nutrition is gonna be very important for me ‘cus the amount of calories they want me to eat is kinda hard to keep up. So, just doing those kinda things. I think nutrition will be very important.
For Fall, he needs to eat 6,000 calories a day.
At least 6,000 calories a day. So, that’s what I have to go through. But Alex [Parr], the strength and conditioning coach, is on me every day about shakes. He was actually calling me to come get a shake before the interview, so they’re on me pretty hard.
Just meals and protein shakes ‘cus it’s hard to eat 6,000 calories in meals.
Now he wants me to get three shakes a day. So like morning, in the afternoon and after a lift.
Personally, I eat anything. I eat anything but pork. So, whatever comes to my mind, I just eat. They just want me to eat, so I just eat.
Fall sees next year’s team being able to make a big run in the NCAA Tournament.
Yeah, most definitely. I think last year we did a pretty good job, being limited. Next year, we’ll be at full strength. So, I expect us to really have a good year, make the NCAA Tournament and make a big run.
Personally, Fall said he wants to retain his title as defensive player of the year and more.
I don’t want to play down. I want to play up. So, last year I was defensive player of the year, so I want to do the same thing. I want to be one of the best players in the country, so that’s my goal.
Fall said his teammates were excited about him coming back.
Some guys I’m really close—I’m really close with all my teammates, so they were really happy for me coming back, and they said they’re looking forward to playing with me again.
Offensively, Fall said he needs to work on improving his skill with both hands and being able to step out more.
Just working on both hands. Trying to learn how to step out a little bit more. Just those kind of things.
It’s just gaining the confidence to do it during the games and not worrying about making mistakes.
Fall said scouts told him they like his mobility.
Moving up and down the floor. They thought that for my size, I was very mobile. I have great length. I’m great defensively. They also said that the NBA is a very fast-paced game, and being able to move from side to side also would be very important, so that’s one of the things that I will definitely need to work on.
When it comes to centers in the NBA, Fall relates himself mostly to Jazz center Rudy Gobert.
I mean, they did ask me who I thought was very similar to, and, in my mind, the first one was Rudy Gobert. That’s what I thought.
With regard to making the decision to go to the NBA, Fall’s host family has been there every step of the way.
They have been great ever since I came to the states. They’ve been mentoring me. They have been helping me, and they’ve been great. So, I had them in my circle. Yesterday, when I made this decision, talked to them on the phone. So, they’ve been great.
Fall couldn’t single out a favorite team he worked out for.
I mean, I only had five workouts, but I think all of them were pretty awesome. I got to visit new cities. Saw around a little bit, saw a couple facilities. I mean, it was a great experience overall. I don’t think I had one favorite. I liked all of them.
