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The Boston Celtics have officially signed fan favorite Tacko Fall, the team announced on Thursday.
Reports of the Celtics plans to sign Fall first surfaced in mid-July. He reportedly signed an Exhibit 10 contract, a deal that allows Boston to retain his rights if he fails to make the active roster out of training camp. Fall would then play for the Maine Red Claws, the team's G-League affiliate.
Fall played four seasons at the University of Central Florida, in March helping the Knights to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to a Duke team led by star rookies Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans and R.J. Barrett of the New York Knicks. He won American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, and last season was selected third team all-conference.
The 7-foot-6 Fall played for the Celtics at Summer League. He quickly became a fan favorite in Las Vegas due to his cartoonish size and surprisingly effective play. He averaged 7.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in just 12.6 minutes per game for Boston, shooting an astounding 77.3 percent from the field. Though Fall's innate lack of ability to move in space was often exploited by opposing offenses, he still proved more nimble than expected overall, a development that meaningfully improved his previously scant chances to ever stick in the NBA.
There's still a long way to go for Fall to do so, and even if he ultimately plays an extended period in the league, his role will still be something close to minimal. But this is a huge first step in his path toward a lasting career, and Boston, clearly, believes in his ability to take more.
