Tacko's on the menu
Mills & Co. show interest in 7-foot-7 center
CHICAGO — Tacko Fall, the 7-foot-7 center who nearly helped Central Florida slay Duke in the NCAA Tournament after giving Zion Williamson fits, has popped onto the Knicks’ radar for their 55th pick following his head-turning draft combine, according to a source.
The Knicks met with 30 players, but did not interview Fall. Knicks brass entered the week unsure if he was an NBA-caliber player.
That has changed for the Knicks and several other clubs after he showed mobility and set combine records for wingspan (8.25 feet) and standing reach (10.25 feet). He also has a size-22 shoe, Fall said, which is not the best attribute for being fleet of foot.
“With my size, the biggest thing they’re always looking for is: Can he move, run the floor, step out and guard?” Fall said Thursday. “I feel I have the ability to do those things. I had the ability to play with great competition [at the combine], and it was a blessing. Thank God I’m in this position, and I have to take advantage of it. I think I’m doing good and holding my own and not doing anything out of character.”
Fall — who averaged 11 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks last season at UCF — was not invited to the regular combine, but to the “Next 40” that started last Sunday. Those on-the-bubble prospects competed for five spots for the main combine, and Fall made the cut, increasing his chances of getting drafted.
The Knicks figured Fall, 23, might fall out of the draft — he’s too susceptible to guarding the high pick-and-roll — and would be available to sign as a free agent, but now no one can be so sure. NBA teams still regard Fall as a limited player whose ability could shine in spot duty or playoff games, clogging the lane when the game becomes more old-school.
Fall’s stock rose in the NCAA Tournament, specifically in UCF’s last-second 77-76 loss to Duke in the second round.
“In my college basketball career, that was one of the best games I’ve been in,” Fall said. “The atmosphere, it was highstakes game for us. We just competed. It helped build confidence going toe-to-toe against that.”
Fall said it is a struggle to find nice dress shoes for his foot size. But all he cares about is having sneakers to play for an NBA team.
“I’m showing I can run the floor, have great hands,” Fall said. “I came in way better shape than I thought I’d be.”