ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) –UCF senior center Tacko Fall has helped lead the Knights men’s basketball team to a 14-3 overall record midway through the 2018-19 season. On Tuesday, Fall was named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award Midseason Watch List, presented by Bona.
“Defense makes up a huge part of every win in college basketball, and we’re excited to recognize those who defend the hardwood,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “These players represent on-court toughness and a defensive tenacity that make them worthy of consideration for this award.”
Fall is one of just 15 players across Division I men’s basketball to earn a spot on the midseason watch list, joining the likes of Ethan Happ of Wisconsin, De’Andre Hunter of Virginia, Grant Williams of Tennessee, and Zion Williamson of Duke.
At 7-foot-6, Fall has been a defensive presence since he stepped foot on UCF’s campus in 2015. As a senior, he’s having one of his best season’s to date, ranking seventh in the nation with a career-high 2.9 blocked shots per game.
The 2017 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Fall is also averaging 10.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game as a senior. He has helped the Knights to a 4-1 start to league play after the most recent win over Tulsa.
The Knights continue action on Wednesday when they take on Tulane at 8 p.m. ET in New Orleans.
TICKETS FOR 2018-19
Fans excited for the 2018-19 UCF men's basketball season can purchase tickets today by calling (407) 823-1000 or online here: https://ucfknights.co/mbb1819tix.