Tacko Fall is back in the news, but not for basketball. A recent viral video shows the 7-foot-6 former NBA player participating in firefighter training drills in Chicago. In the clip, Fall towers over everyone else, wearing bunker gear that is far too short for his enormous frame. He successfully completed a simulation, rescuing a life-sized dummy from a smoke-filled room. His first question after the drill was a lighthearted, “Do I get a medal yet?” This new venture is part of a series of activities Fall has been trying, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he trained in back in August.

Despite these off-court adventures, Fall remains a professional basketball player. He recently finished a season with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian National Basketball League and has now signed to return to the Chinese Basketball Association with the Ningbo Rockets. His journey away from the NBA spotlight raises a central question about why a player with such unique physical gifts did not stick in the world’s best league. The answer lies in the simple fact that despite his unique gifts, Fall still has shortcomings that made success in the NBA difficult, despite flashes of brilliance.

Who Is Tacko Fall?

Tacko Fall was born in Dakar, Senegal, on December 10, 1995. He did not start playing basketball until later in his youth, having first played soccer. He once recalled his humble beginnings, noting, “Sometimes we wouldn’t have an actual ball, so we would take a bunch of plastic bags and stuff, wrap it and make it round enough.” His potential was discovered by a brother of former NBA player Mamadou N’Diaye, which led him to move to the United States at age 16 to pursue the sport.

He attended the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he became a college basketball star. Over his four year career with the Knights, Fall appeared in 115 games. He left a major mark on the program, becoming the school’s all time leader in blocked shots with 280 and setting an NCAA Division I record with a career field goal percentage of 74.0 percent. His college success culminated in a close NCAA Tournament game against Duke, where he famously matched up against Zion Williamson.

After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, Fall signed with the Boston Celtics. He quickly became a fan favorite due to his incredible height and friendly personality. Although his NBA playing time was limited, his tenure in Boston created a lasting bond. He expressed his affection for the city, saying, “Just know that for me personally, Boston is always going to be another home for me, regardless of what team I play for”.

Tacko Fall’s Height and Age

Tacko Fall’s most defining feature is, without a doubt, his historic size. He stands at 7 feet 6 inches tall, which places him among the tallest people to ever play professional basketball. His wingspan measures an incredible 8 feet 2 inches, and his standing reach is a massive 10 feet 2 inches. To put that in perspective, his standing reach is higher than the basketball rim itself, which is 10 feet from the floor.

These physical stats made him a formidable presence in the paint, especially on defense. During his college career, he led the nation with 107 dunks in a single season and was a constant shot blocking threat. As of 2025, Fall is 29 years old, which is generally considered an athlete’s prime. Despite his age and physical conditioning, the very attributes that made him unique also presented significant challenges at the highest level of basketball.

His shoe size is a remarkable 22, highlighting the sheer scale of his physique. While his height was an obvious advantage for rebounding and shot blocking, it also came with inherent difficulties related to mobility and endurance. The modern NBA’s style of play ultimately proved to be a difficult fit for his specific skill set centered around his immense size.

What challenges did Tacko Fall face in the NBA?

The primary reason Tacko Fall is not in the NBA is a fundamental mismatch between his skills and the league’s modern demands. The NBA has evolved into a game that prioritizes speed, perimeter shooting, and defensive versatility. Fall’s lack of lateral quickness made it difficult for him to defend against smaller, faster players on the perimeter, especially in pick and roll situations.

His offensive game was also limited. He attempted only two three pointers in his entire NBA and G League career, making one. In an era where centers are often expected to space the floor, his inability to shoot from the outside reduced his usefulness on offense. This limited his role mostly to garbage time minutes, as he played only 37 total games across three seasons with the Celtics and Cavaliers.

Furthermore, the pace of the modern NBA requires players to run the court consistently. Maintaining the necessary endurance at his size was another hurdle. While he was a productive player in the G League, averaging double doubles, he could not translate that into a consistent NBA role. The league’s shift away from traditional, back to the basket centers meant there were few teams looking for a player with his specific profile.

Where is Tacko Fall now?

After his NBA stint ended in 2022, Tacko Fall began a professional journey across the globe. He first played for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), where he averaged 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds. He then had a brief return to the NBA scene with the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2023 Summer League team, but did not secure a contract.

His journey continued with the Nanjing Monkey Kings back in the CBA. Most recently, he played for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL for the 2024 25 season. In 18 games, he averaged 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. However, the Breakers released him this past July, leading to his new deal with the Ningbo Rockets in China.

This international path is common for players seeking a larger role and financial stability. Fall has found consistent playing time and has been a productive center in these leagues, something that was unavailable to him in the NBA. His career continues overseas, allowing him to continue playing the game he loves at a professional level.

What is next for Tacko Fall?

At 29, Tacko Fall’s immediate future remains in basketball with the Ningbo Rockets. However, his recent activities show he is actively exploring life after the sport. His firefighter training in Chicago is the latest example. If he were to complete the training and qualify, he would break the Guinness World Record for the tallest firefighter ever, surpassing the current record holder who is 6 feet 11 inches tall.

He has also demonstrated an interest in computer science, having majored in it at UCF. He once stated an ambition to work for a company like Siemens or Microsoft. These pursuits indicate a thoughtful approach to his post basketball career. The viral video of his firefighting drill, where he jokingly asked for a medal, shows his charismatic personality remains intact.

While he is still an active player, these side quests reveal a man preparing for a future beyond the court. Whether he becomes a firefighter, an engineer, or something else entirely, Tacko Fall is clearly determined to make an impact regardless of the field he chooses to enter after his playing days are over.

Conclusion: Why height isn’t everything in the NBA

Tacko Fall’s story is a clear example that in the modern NBA, height alone is not enough to guarantee a long career. The league now values versatility above all else. A player must be able to shoot, defend multiple positions, and keep up with a fast pace. While Fall’s height made him a cult hero and a formidable shot blocker, his limitations in other areas prevented him from securing a permanent roster spot.

His journey underscores a pragmatic reality of professional sports. When a player’s skills do not align with a league’s style, seeking opportunities elsewhere is a smart career move. Fall has found success and importance on international teams, proving his value as a player exists outside the NBA structure.

Ultimately, Tacko Fall’s legacy may be less about his stat sheet and more about his memorable presence and the valuable lesson he represents about the evolving nature of basketball. His unique path continues to inspire fans around the world.