Saoirse Downs
Standing at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 metres) tall, Tacko Fall is one of the tallest living humans and was the tallest player in college basketball during his time with the UCF Knights. Fall was born and raised in Dakar, Senegal, and moved to the United States at the age of 16, where he played basketball for UCF. Fall's height gave him a unique advantage on the court, and he became known for his impressive wingspan and standing reach. In addition to his basketball skills, Fall excelled academically and planned to pursue a career in engineering before becoming a professional basketball player.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Tacko Fall |
| Height | 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 metres) |
| Weight | 295-300 pounds |
| Wingspan | 8 feet (2.44 metres) |
| Jersey Number | 99 |
| Nationality | Senegalese |
| Education | Computer science major at UCF |
| Career Field Goal Percentage | 74.0% |
| Career Rebounds | 887 |
| Career Rebound Average | 7.7 per game |
| Career Points | 1,160 |
| Career Blocked Shots | 164 |
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What You'll Learn
Tacko Fall's height and weight
Senegalese player El Hadji Tacko Sereigne Diop Fall, who plays for the UCF Knights, is exceptionally tall. Listed at 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) barefoot by the NBA, Fall is one of the tallest living humans and was the tallest player in college basketball. He weighed between 295 and 311 lbs (134 and 141 kg) during his playing career.
Fall's height has been a defining feature of his life and career. Even at 15, he stood at 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) tall, and he was already over 7 ft (2.13 m) when he moved to the United States at 16. Fall's height made him one of the most highly scouted high-school basketball centres in the nation. He was the tallest high-school basketball player in the country while playing for Jamie's House Charter and Liberty Christian Prep.
Fall's height continued to increase, and he was purportedly still growing in his senior year. At the 2019 NBA Draft Combine, his measurements set all-time NBA records for tallest height in shoes (7 ft 7 in; 2.31 m), longest wingspan (8 ft 2.25 in; 2.5 m), and highest standing reach (10 ft 2.5 in; 3.11 m).
Fall's height has brought him advantages both on and off the court. He told People:
> I’m blessed, because not that many people get the opportunity... When I walk into the grocery store, I can see on top of all the shelves and I can reach over anything that I want to.
Fall's height has also brought challenges. He has to bend down to get through doorways, needs the exit row when flying, and uses two full-size mattresses pushed together to sleep. To children who want to be as tall as him, he advises: "Eat your vegetables. Eat a lot and work out, because you don’t want to get too big the wrong way."
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Fall's journey to UCF
Tacko Fall, born and raised in Dakar, Senegal, moved to the United States at the age of 16. Standing at 7 feet 2 inches tall at the time, he was recruited to play basketball in Texas at a charter school. He first played organised basketball in Houston, Texas, where he trained with NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon. He also lived with Ben Simmons for a year in Houston.
Fall then moved to Ohio, Georgia, and finally Tennessee. He attended Liberty Christian Preparatory School in Tavares, Florida, where he excelled in basketball, averaging 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 5.1 blocks per game as a senior. He was a highly sought-after recruit, with nearly 40 different schools expressing interest in him.
Ultimately, Fall chose to attend the University of Central Florida in Orlando, signing with them on October 28, 2014. He played college basketball for the UCF Knights, becoming one of the tallest players in college basketball at 7 feet 6 inches tall. During his time at UCF, Fall continued to improve and develop his skills, becoming an efficient player and a fan favourite.
Fall declared for the 2017 NBA draft but later withdrew his name to return to UCF for his junior year. He faced setbacks due to injuries but remained dedicated to his craft, working hard to improve his strength and agility. Fall went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft but signed with the Boston Celtics, where he spent two seasons before signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent in 2021.
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Achievements at UCF
Standing at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 metres), Tacko Fall is one of the tallest UCF basketball players in the history of U.S. college basketball. Fall played college basketball for the UCF Knights, becoming the tallest player in college basketball by his sophomore year.
- In 2017, Tacko Fall was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
- During his junior year, Fall ranked second nationally in field-goal percentage.
- In 2017, Fall was named to the Preseason Second Team All-AAC.
- Fall maintained a 4.0-grade point average (GPA) in high school while taking advanced mathematics and science classes.
- Fall became fluent in English within eight months and scored in the 95th percentile on the SAT.
- UCF's women's volleyball program secured a perfect 1,000 multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) score for the fourth consecutive year and the ninth time in 12 years.
- UCF's women's golf team achieved a perfect score for the fourth straight year, while the men's golf team attained this mark for the third consecutive year.
- The women's tennis team also reached a perfect 1,000 for the second year in a row and the 10th time in 13 years.
- UCF Athletics posted the highest departmental GPA on record—an impressive 3.47, extending their record-setting streak in the classroom to 35 consecutive semesters with a departmental grade point average of 3.0 or better.
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NBA draft and career
Tacko Fall, a 7-foot-6 basketball player at Liberty Christian Prep in Tavares, Florida, signed with the UCF Knights in 2014. He was born and raised in Dakar, Senegal, and moved to the United States at age 16. Fall played college basketball as a center for the UCF Knights and became one of the tallest players in college basketball.
Fall declared for the 2017 NBA draft but later withdrew his name to return to UCF for his junior year. He went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft but signed with the Boston Celtics, becoming a fan favorite during his two seasons with the team. In 2021, he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent.
Fall set several NBA records at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine, including tallest height in shoes (7 ft 7 in), longest wingspan (8 ft 2.25 in), and highest standing reach (10 ft 2.5 in). His height is listed as 7 ft 6 in by the NBA, which now lists players' heights without shoes. This height makes him one of the tallest living humans and one of the tallest players in the league.
Fall has achieved several milestones throughout his college and NBA career. During his time with the UCF Knights, he became the 20th member of UCF's 1,000-Point Club, led the nation with 107 dunks in a season, and set a new UCF single-season record for field goal percentage. He also had the most blocked shots in a single season in UCF history, with 94 blocks.
In addition to his athletic achievements, Fall excelled academically, maintaining a 4.0-grade point average in high school and majoring in computer science at UCF. He initially aspired to become an engineer before pursuing a career in basketball.
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Life off the court
Additionally, the players' off-court lives involve various personal development opportunities. They engage in activities that foster growth in areas such as leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. This can include mentorship programs, workshops, and community service initiatives. The UCF Knights organization recognizes the importance of holistic development, helping players cultivate essential life skills that will benefit them long after their basketball careers. These experiences enable them to become well-rounded individuals who are prepared for success in various aspects of life.
The UCF Knights also prioritize the physical and mental well-being of their players. Proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and injury prevention are key aspects of their daily routines. Access to sports medicine professionals, nutritionists, and mental health resources ensures that players receive the support they need to maintain their overall health. The organization emphasizes the importance of self-care and provides the necessary tools for players to thrive physically and mentally, both in their athletic pursuits and in their everyday lives.
Lastly, life off the court for these student-athletes involves exploring personal interests and preparing for future careers. Some players may have entrepreneurial ventures or pursue internships related to their career aspirations. The UCF Knights program often offers guidance and resources to help players navigate their professional journeys. They may engage in networking opportunities, attend career development workshops, or participate in alumni mentorship programs. By encouraging players to pursue their passions and plan for their future beyond basketball, the UCF Knights organization sets them up for success both on and off the court.
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Frequently asked questions
Tacko Fall is 7 feet and 6 inches tall.
Tacko Fall has a standing reach of 10 feet and 4 inches.
Tacko Fall weighs between 295 and 300 pounds.
Tacko Fall has an 8-foot wingspan.
Tacko Fall wears a size 22 shoe.
