The Philadelphia 76ers will kick off their 2024 preseason with a matchup against the New Zealand Breakers from Australia’s NBL. In preparation for facing NBA competition, the Breakers have added former NBA big man Tacko Fall to their roster.
The Breakers, who will also play against the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder during their NBA tour, stated that Fall’s signing was “strategically targeted towards the Breakers’ US tour.” Facing elite big men like Joel Embiid, Chet Holmgren, and Lauri Markkanen (if they play), the Breakers see Fall’s size and NBA experience as key assets, despite his absence from the league for a few seasons.
Fall expressed his excitement about joining the Breakers, saying, “I’m excited to be part of this squad and to represent the BNZ 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.”
After playing three NBA seasons from 2019 to 2022, Tacko Fall has spent the last two years in the Chinese Basketball Association. The 7-foot-6 center from Senegal, a former standout at UCF, appeared in 26 games for the Boston Celtics and 11 for the Cleveland Cavaliers after going undrafted.
Breakers head coach Matt Walsh praised Fall’s impact, saying, “Tacko is a game-changer on the defensive end, and his NBA experience will be invaluable as we prepare to face some of the best teams in the world.”
Fall joins several former NBA players on the Breakers’ roster, including Jonah Bolden, Matthew Mooney, and Freddie Gillespie. The Breakers will take on the Utah Jazz on Friday, October 4, the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, October 7, and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, October 10, during their NBA tour.