PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced that UCF senior center Tacko Fall was named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award Midseason Watch List, presented by Bona.

Fall is one of just 15 players across Division I men's basketball to earn a spot on the midseason watch list. The American is one of seven conferences represented on the watch list.

"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 has helped lead the Knights men's basketball team to a 14-3 overall record midway through the 2018-19 season.

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 seasons 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.


2019 NAISMITH DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST

First Name	Last Name	Year	Position	School	Conference
Tacko	Fall	Sr.	C	UCF	American
Zion	Williamson	Fr.	F	Duke	ACC
De'Andre	Hunter	So.	G	Virginia	ACC
Barry	Brown, Jr.	Sr.	G	Kansas State	Big 12
Matt	Mooney	Sr.	G	Texas Tech	Big 12
Tariq	Owens	Sr.	F	Texas Tech	Big 12
Bruno	Fernando	So.	F	Maryland	Big Ten
Zavier	Simpson	Jr.	G	Michigan	Big Ten
Jordan	Murphy	Sr.	F	Minnesota	Big Ten
Ethan	Happ	Sr.	F	Wisconsin	Big Ten
Kylor	Kelley	Jr.	F	Oregon State	Pac-12
Matisse	Thybulle	Sr.	G	Washington	Pac-12
Ashton	Hagans	Fr.	G	Kentucky	SEC
Grant	Williams	Jr.	F	Tennessee	SEC
Brandon	Clarke	Jr.	F	Gonzaga	WCC