Tacko Fall
says he is returning to UCF for his senior season to help the Knights keep improving.
It’s been clear for a few months UCF 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall would return for his senior season, but Fall talked about his future Friday for the first time.
Fall, who missed half the season after needing surgery to repair a torn labum, said his decision to return for his senior year was mostly because of his desire to help the UCF basketball program take another step in a positive direction. The Knights achieved Final Four status at the NIT two seasons ago, but Fall wants more.
He cited his desire to finish out his UCF career with fellow senior-to-be B.J. Taylor, UCF’s leading scorer, and Aubrey Dawkins, the son of coach Johnny Dawkins who missed this past season with his own shoulder injury, as other driving forces. UCF was never at full strength before hobbling to an admirable 19-13 record during the 2017-18 season.
“I didn’t like the way my season ended … injuries, you can’t control that,” Fall said. “B.J. got hurt, Aubrey didn’t play with us … we just were hit by a lot of injuries and I just felt like we didn’t do as good as we could have done because of that.
“I kind of felt like I still have things to take care of before I leave school. … I felt like before I left here, I had to do something bigger.”
Fall’s junior season ended in January, when the decision was made to have the surgery on his shoulder. The injury, which he first sustained last summer, hampered him in the first 18 games and the pain became too much to endure. The big man played in 16 games, averaging 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and two blocked shots per game as a junior. During his career at UCF, he has averaged 9.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 82 games.
Last year, Fall threw his name in the NBA Draft hat to test the waters and see where he stood with NBA scouts, but he ultimately decided to return for his junior year. He could have done so again this year, but he is still in rehab following shoulder surgery and would miss quite a few pre-draft camp opportunities.
“I probably would have went through that and come back to school anyway, so why bother,” Fall said of testing the NBA predraft camp circuit again. “I did that last year, so I really have an idea of how that is and I really got all the feedback I needed. I already know all the things I need to work on, so for now all I got to do is focus on finishing school and getting ready for next season.”
When talking about helping UCF do big things, what stands out the most to Fall is making the NCAA Tournament. UCF has made the NCAA tourney four times in the school’s history, losing all four games. The last appearances were in back-to-back seasons of 2004 and 2005 as champions and former members of the Atlantic Sun Conference.
“It doesn’t make sense to leave here without making the NCAA Tournament,” Fall said. “I also want to make a run and just leave my mark at UCF.”
As for his rehab leading into summer workouts, Fall said doctors are having to hold him back.
“I’m feeling great. I was telling [UCF assistant] coach [Vince] Taylor that I’m ready to go,” Fall said. “Unfortunately, I can’t. I’ve got to go with what the doctors say so I gotta wait until they clear me to be able to work out and stuff.
“But rehab is going great and I’m just trusting the process right now.”
UCF loses few seniors from the 2017-18 squad, with the biggest departure being second-leading scorer forward/guard A.J. Davis. The rest of the nucleus from this past season’s squad remains, including Taylor; guards Dawkins, Chance McSpadden, Ceasar DeJesus and Dayon Griffin; and Fall’s front-court mates Chad Brown and Rokas Ulvydas, as well as redshirted sophomore Collin Smith, another near 7-footer at 6-foot-11.
“We have all the tools we need. Most of the guys are returning. A lot of guys that played last year have gained a lot of experience,” Fall said. “B.J.’s back, Aubrey’s 100 percent and obviously I’ll be back. We’re gonna be a lot older. Chad is going to be a senior too and we got Dayon who’s going to be a senior, so we’re going to be a pretty old team … got a lot of experience. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Then comes the future for Fall, who 20 years ago could have had a lengthy, wealthy career by just being 7-foot-6 and standing in the paint, grabbing rebounds and blocking shots. The NBA game has evolved, however, and there is a lot more athleticism and shotmaking expected out of big men. Fall will need to make the biggest strides on offense.
Fall will not only have to learn to get stronger in playing with his back to the basket, but also learn how to play facing the basket with far more consistency. NBA teams aren’t going to ask him to shoot 3s and wander outside, but he will need need a reliable baseline and mid-range jumpers. He also still needs to work on his jump hook.
“I watch everybody. I’ve had a lot of time on my hands,” Fall said of studying other big men. “I pretty much watch everybody. Even those who don’t play anymore … everything from footwork, to taking care of their bodies and also mentally.
“I definitely could have done a lot more offensively this year … but I fought through my shoulder injury since last summer and it just kept getting worse. It was definitely a bummer for me.”
Fall said his targeted timetable for being back to 100 percent and involved in full-contact court play is July.
“We’ve gotta move on. Last year is gone,” Fall said. “We’ve gotta think about the future and get ready for what’s to come.”