Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter |
Tacko Fall, a 7-7 big man from UCF, was among the players who worked out for the Knicks on Friday. Duke big man Marques Bolden also worked out for the club.
Fall is an intriguing prospect for New York, which owns the No. 55 pick.
He has impressed teams with his ability to cover ground at his size in workouts, including in Friday's with the Knicks.
That's part of what Fall says he wants to show teams ahead of the draft.
"Just keep showing them how much I can change the game," Fall said in a phone interview with SNY. "Obviously, I'm sure that all the teams have seen plenty of me but there's still a lot that I feel like I can show them that I could do, especially at the next level. I feel like I can move pretty well for someone as big as me. And (I want to show teams) how I can impact the game defensively. I'm a good shot-blocker. Just my presence out there can have a big impact."
Fall set NBA Draft combine records for wingspan (8.25) and standing reach (10.25) last month in Chicago. The 23-year-old averaged 11 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks last season at UCF.
He says he's spent a lot of time in training sessions working on offense.
"It's coming along pretty well. Using my size (on offens), I'm an easy target and I can finish around the rim," Fall said.
On what he felt he showed the Knicks on Friday, Fall said, "Mostly how well I can move. I feel like that's one of the biggest question marks anyone might have when they scout someone like me. Just showing them that I can move and I can keep up with the pace of the game."
The Knicks were among a group of teams at the Briscoe Sports Group and Elite Skills Training Pro Day on Friday in Miami. The workout featured the following players: Daniel Gafford, Jeff Thomas, Namon Wright, Ty Cockfield, Jared Harper, Isaiah Reese, D'Marcus Simmonds, Kevaughn Allen, Dylan Osetkowski, Nick Perkins, and Tremont Waters.
Gafford, a potential top-20 pick, impressed decision makers at the workout, which was attended by representatives from 17 NBA teams. One evaluator in attendance said Gafford shot well from mid-range and moved well, particularly for his 240-pound frame.
Gafford has been working with Elite Skills Training's Tony Falce. Falce has worked with dozens of NBA players and said Gafford's athleticism compares favorably to two big men he's trained: Serge Ibaka and Chris Andersen.