Tacko Fall Returning to China With Nanjing Monkey Kings

September 24, 2023

Former Cavaliers center Tacko Fall has signed a new deal with the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball Association, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Undrafted out of UCF, the 7-foot-6 Fall started his career with the Celtics and went on to play three years in the NBA. Notably, during the 2021-22 season he appeared in 11 games for the Cavs and more for the G League’s Charge.

Last year Fall took his talents to China, when he signed with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, averaging 13.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks in 25.7 minutes per game.

It goes without saying that due to his stature and friendly nature, the 27-year-old has been a fan favorite wherever he goes.

With some revering him as the Senegal version of Yao Ming, Fall said in an interview with Stadium, “China, they love basketball over there … it was a very good growing experience for me on and off the court. Playing in the league (NBA) I was always trying to make my mark and trying to earn minutes, you know my first couple of years trying to earn a spot. Then you go to China and you are like the main guy, everything is focused on you, so it really made me step into being more of a leader and getting out of my comfort zone.”

The big man stated that even though the talent of the competition might not be up to par with the NBA, the players in the CBA really pushed him to be better. That is to say, Fall was often double- and triple-teamed while playing overseas last year, as he was seen as an unstoppable force in the post.

“The game (in China) is so much different,” he said. “They play very physical, especially when you’re an import. Everything is focused on you. So, I used to joke, I used to be on the phone with some of my friends like, ‘I’m getting guarded here like I’m Stephen Curry.’ Because they’d literally be with you from one sideline to the other.”

Certainly, fans are excited about Fall extending his stay in China, as he looks to continue to build off his career, heading to Nanjing to showcase his dominance in the paint on both offense and defense.