AAC Basketball: 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Jun 22, 2023

Mar 5, 2020; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson talks to guard Quentin Grimes (24) and guard Marcus Sasser (0) after a play against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. UConn defeated Houston 77-71. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

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AAC Basketball UCF Knights center Tacko Fall Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

22. Tacko Fall

It’s pretty impressive to be a 7’6 center, but Fall showed that he could play solid ball as well. Originally from Senegal, Fall arrived on campus at UCF in 2015 and carved out a role with these Knights. He was a full-time starter for basically all of his collegiate career and really came into his own after Johnny Dawkins was brought aboard as head coach in 2016.

Foul trouble is always an issue for physical bigs, but Fall took advantage of his minutes and was a menace. He led the AAC in field goal percentage, rebounding, and blocks at various points in his career. He averaged at least 10 points per game in each of those three seasons under Dawkins, with great rebounding and shotblocking numbers as well. He put up 13 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocks in UCF’s Tourney win over VCU before his career came to an end at the hands of Duke two days later.

Fall’s impact was certainly felt on the court, even if he received All-AAC honors just once in his career. He was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and lead the entire nation in field goal percentage during his freshman season. His statistics are impressive across the board in the paint and a player of his size and stature clearly had a major impact for the Knights. Fall was a unique weapon that truly mattered for UCF.