The NZ Breakers have signed former NBA centre Tacko Fall for the team's US tour next month.
Fall stands at an incredible 7-foot-6, bringing a towering presence at both ends of the court, ahead of the Breakers' games against the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder in October.
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The Senegalese big made his NBA debut in 2019 with the Boston Celtics after going undrafted. He played 40 games with the Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers across three seasons, last playing in the league during the 2021-22 season.
The signing of Fall was strategically targeted towards the Breakers’ US tour, where they will go up against the Jazz, Sixers and Thunder in a seven-day span.
“Tacko is a game-changer on the defensive end, and his experience in the NBA will be invaluable to us as we prepare to take on the challenge of competing against some of the best teams in the world,” Breakers owner Matt Walsh said.
Fall, known for his hard work and infectious personality, said he was looking forward to the challenge of suiting up for the Breakers.
“I’m excited to be part of this squad and to represent the Breakers. The opportunity to compete against NBA teams again is a great challenge, and I’m looking forward to doing whatever I can to help the club,” Fall said.
The Breakers will depart for the US in early October, with Fall joining the team immediately in Utah in preparation for the games, which will be their sixth, seventh and eighth against NBA opponents.
The Breakers did not elaborate if Fall's signing was just for their three-game NBA stretch or for the remainder of the ANBL season.
American centre Freddie Gillespie sat out their season opening 91-87 win over the Brisbane Bullets in Perth on Saturday while serving a one-game suspension stemming from a head-butting incident during the ANBL Blitz earlier this month.
Petteri Koponen's team will play their home opener at Auckland's Spark Arena on Sunday (tip-off 7.30pm) before departing.
NZ BREAKERS VS NBA SCHEDULE
NZ Breakers vs Utah Jazz
Friday, October 4, 7pm (Saturday, October 5, 2pm NZT)
Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
NZ Breakers vs Philadelphia 76ers
Monday, October 7, 7pm (Tuesday, October 8, 12pm NZT)
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
NZ Breakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Thursday, October 10, 8pm (Friday, October 11, 2pm NZT)
Tulsa, Oklahoma