Tacko Fall makes his choice: 7-5 prep center heading to UCF

Ray Slover

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Tacko Fall makes his choice: 7-5 prep center heading to UCF image

Tacko Fall is the next Manute Bol, an African native learning basketball in the United States. At 7-5 or 7-6, depending on the source, as a high school senior, Fall could add an inch and match the late Bol.

This week we learned where Fall would attend college. And the winner is … Central Florida.

That word comes from the Orlando Sentinel, to whom a source confirmed Fall's decision. The teen attends Liberty Christian Prep in Taveras, Fla. UCF wins out over Georgetown, Wake Forest and more than a dozen other suitors.

Fall is expected to make his commitment official on Nov. 12, when early signing for college recruits begins.

Based on his size and interest, Fall has made strides since picking up basketball two years ago. He spend last summer with the Each One, Teach One AAU team to get deeper training in the game.

UCF coach Donnie Jones cultivated a relationship with Fall. He told the Tampa Bay Times: "I am comfortable with coach Jones, and I feel like I can help the program move to another level. I have been very excited. Now I don't have to worry about other schools trying to recruit me."

Sites are making it known that Fall, at 17, has several inches on the tallest NBA player at present, Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers and Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz.

He also 50 pounds on Bol, a toothpick during his playing days. Bol, who was from Sudan, died in 2010.

Jones has a really big project for the future. Fall's lack of experience and need for development makes him a player who might need a year or two at UCF to make an impact. But you can't teach size, the old saying goes, and in addition to his height Fall has an 8-foot wingspan. He can grab the rim standing flat-footed.

He also has huge feet  — size 22, the Times reports, same as the rather large Shaqille O'Neal.

Ray Slover