Tacko Fall
A Senegalese center whose extraordinary 7-foot-6 frame made him a global fan favorite and a symbol of basketball's limitless potential.
Born 1995 (age 31)·Senegalese basketball player·Birthday: December 10·Millennials
Biography
Tacko Fall grew up in Dakar and did not seriously pick up a basketball until his late teens, his life focused on academics. His move to the United States for high school turned him into a viral sensation. At the University of Central Florida, he developed into a defensive force, leading the Knights on a memorable NCAA tournament run. Considered a project by NBA standards, his work ethic and personality earned him chances with the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. His on-court minutes were limited, but his presence in the league and dominance in the G League made him one of the most recognizable figures in the sport.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Tacko was born in 1995, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Tacko Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Tacko's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Set the NBA Combine record for standing reach (10 feet 2.5 inches) and wingspan (8 feet 2.25 inches) in 2019.
- Led the NBA G League in field goal percentage during the 2021-22 season while playing for the Cleveland Charge.
- Helped lead UCF to the NCAA Tournament's Round of 32 in 2019, nearly upsetting the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils.
Did You Know?
He wears a size 22 shoe.
Fall is fluent in four languages: Wolof, French, English, and some Spanish.
He studied computer programming in high school in Senegal and initially planned on an engineering career.
“I just want to show people that, regardless of where you come from, regardless of what you do, you can make it if you put your mind to it.”
