UCF Should Retire Tacko Fall's Jersey Number 24

Fall's dominant college career and global popularity warrant the honor from his alma mater.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Tacko Fall, a 7-foot-6 center, had a standout four-year career at the University of Central Florida from 2016 to 2019. During his time with the Knights, Fall was a dominant defensive presence, leading the American Athletic Conference in blocked shots as a freshman and senior. He finished his UCF career averaging 10.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, while shooting over 74% from the field. Fall's senior season in 2018-19 was particularly impressive, as he helped lead UCF to 24 wins and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Why it matters

Tacko Fall became a fan favorite at UCF and a well-known basketball figure around the world during his time with the Knights. His dominant defensive play, impressive statistical achievements, and popularity make a strong case for UCF to retire his jersey number 24 to honor his legacy and contributions to the program.

The details

As a senior in 2018-19, Fall averaged 11.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and a career-high 2.6 blocks per game. He finished the season making the All-AAC Third Team, becoming the 20th player in UCF history to score 1,000 points, and leading the AAC in field goal percentage at 74.8%. Fall's performance in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, where he recorded a double-double with 13 points and 18 rebounds against VCU, further cemented his place as one of the greatest players in UCF basketball history.

  • Tacko Fall played at UCF from 2016 to 2019.
  • In the 2016-17 season, Fall was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year.
  • In the 2018-19 season, Fall's senior year, UCF won 24 games and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The players

Tacko Fall

A 7-foot-6 center who played four seasons at the University of Central Florida from 2016 to 2019, where he was a dominant defensive presence and fan favorite.

Brad Stevens

The head coach of the Boston Celtics, who encouraged Celtics fans to cheer for Fall and gave him playing time during the 2019-20 NBA season.

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What’s next

UCF should officially retire Tacko Fall's jersey number 24 to honor his legacy and contributions to the basketball program.

The takeaway

Tacko Fall's dominant college career and global popularity as a basketball player make a strong case for UCF to retire his jersey number 24, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in school history.