Sport

Ex NBA centre join Breakers for three high profile games the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder

13:30 pm on 24 September 2024

Originally from Senegal, Tacko Fall made his NBA debut in 2019 with the Boston Celtics after going undrafted. Photo: AFP

Former NBA centre Tacko Fall will join the Breakers for their three-game US tour next month.

The 2.29 metre tall 28-year-old is a strategic signing for the Auckland-based NBL club ahead of exhibition games against NBA sides the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Originally from Senegal, Fall made his NBA debut in 2019 with the Boston Celtics after going undrafted.

During his two-year stint in the NBA, he played a combined 37 games for the Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, earning a reputation as a dominant rim protector.

Breakers owner Matt Walsh said Fall was "a game-changer on the defensive end".

"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."

The last time the Breakers were playing crossover games against NBA sides, they picked up American Anthony Lamb who had a big impact for the Breakers before injury ended his season early.

The Breakers will depart for the US in early October, with Fall joining the team immediately in Utah in preparation for the three fixtures.

The Breakers are the only NBL team playing NBA fixtures this season and the New Zealand team will take a break early in the season to accommodate the games.