UCF Athletics Communications
The following is a story told by UCF sophomore Tacko Fall on his experience with the NBA Draft process and his decision to return to the Knights for the 2017-18 season.
Why I Came Back To UCF
by Tacko Fall
I first dreamt about playing in the NBA when I came over to the United State from Senegal. That's when I knew that if I put the work in, I'd have a chance to make it to that level.
At first, it was tough, because I hadn't been playing basketball for long. I didn't know much about it. I knew about the NBA, but I didn't know anything about the process. I didn't even know much about college basketball, so it took some time for me to understand everything, including how much work I would need to put in.
We all put the work in last year. Our success as a team meant a lot to me, because that was one of the main reasons I came to UCF. I wanted to do something that no one had ever done here, and what we did last season was really special.
When the season ended, though, it was tough. I knew we could have won that last game and I took it pretty hard. It took me a while to get past that, but eventually I talked it over with my family, and we thought it was the best for me to put my name in the Draft and see how things went.
The entire process, working out for and meeting with the NBA teams, was a great experience. All the teams were great to me. The workouts went well, and they gave me plenty of feedback.
Going through it all solidified that I can play in the NBA. I know I belong. In the workouts, I played against guys older and more experienced than me, so now I have an idea of where I need to be going forward. I know what I need to improve on and that's where we'll start with the rest of the off-season. My goal isn't to just get to the NBA, but to stay there for a long time.
My final decision wasn't easy. There are always going to be temptations. When you can really smell it, it can be hard to turn that down, but I knew that I had to look at the bigger picture. I think that's what I did. After talking it all over with my parents and Coach Dawkins, I came to my decision to return to UCF.
In coming back, my mind is set on helping UCF make the NCAA Tournament. And I think to myself, while we're there, why not win it? I played against a national champion in one of my workouts and I see that we are right there. We can do it. It's just a matter of putting in the work and all of us doing it together.
I want to thank all of the UCF fans for all of your love. I'm excited to be here next season and to do great things for this amazing program.
Go Knights
Charge On!
Why I Came Back To UCF
by Tacko Fall
I first dreamt about playing in the NBA when I came over to the United State from Senegal. That's when I knew that if I put the work in, I'd have a chance to make it to that level.
At first, it was tough, because I hadn't been playing basketball for long. I didn't know much about it. I knew about the NBA, but I didn't know anything about the process. I didn't even know much about college basketball, so it took some time for me to understand everything, including how much work I would need to put in.
We all put the work in last year. Our success as a team meant a lot to me, because that was one of the main reasons I came to UCF. I wanted to do something that no one had ever done here, and what we did last season was really special.
When the season ended, though, it was tough. I knew we could have won that last game and I took it pretty hard. It took me a while to get past that, but eventually I talked it over with my family, and we thought it was the best for me to put my name in the Draft and see how things went.
The entire process, working out for and meeting with the NBA teams, was a great experience. All the teams were great to me. The workouts went well, and they gave me plenty of feedback.
Going through it all solidified that I can play in the NBA. I know I belong. In the workouts, I played against guys older and more experienced than me, so now I have an idea of where I need to be going forward. I know what I need to improve on and that's where we'll start with the rest of the off-season. My goal isn't to just get to the NBA, but to stay there for a long time.
My final decision wasn't easy. There are always going to be temptations. When you can really smell it, it can be hard to turn that down, but I knew that I had to look at the bigger picture. I think that's what I did. After talking it all over with my parents and Coach Dawkins, I came to my decision to return to UCF.
In coming back, my mind is set on helping UCF make the NCAA Tournament. And I think to myself, while we're there, why not win it? I played against a national champion in one of my workouts and I see that we are right there. We can do it. It's just a matter of putting in the work and all of us doing it together.
I want to thank all of the UCF fans for all of your love. I'm excited to be here next season and to do great things for this amazing program.
Go Knights
Charge On!