After disappointing stops at Arkansas and Kansas State, Baye Fall is carving out a role and eager to show his past programs that 'they missed out.'
PISCATAWAY – Darren Buchanan took a long pass over the top of the defense and dribbled in for what seemed like an uncontested layup.
Baye Fall begged to differ.
The 6-foot-11 junior center flew down the court and pinned the 6-foot-7 Buchanan’s layup against the glass.
The scene at a recent Rutgers basketball practice showed Fall’s potential as a rim protector – something the Scarlet Knights desperately need.
“That’s the mentality of not giving up on plays,” he said. “I feel like no matter where I am on the court, I can stop a shot.”
Rutgers is hoping Fall can do that when the lights go on in a few weeks. The Senegal native had plenty of believers prior to college, when he was a McDonald’s All-American. But one-year stops at Arkansas and Kansas State proved to be dead ends, so he reconnected with Steve Pikiell, who recruited him hard out of high school.
“I’m way happier here,” Fall said. “I’m more comfortable being myself, and they allow me to be that here. They believe in me more than any of the places I’ve been.”
Whatever happened or didn’t happen in those other programs, Fall is relishing the clean slate as he battles incumbent center Emmanuel Ogbole for time in the post. The early October practice when he pinned Buchanan’s layup was a breakout of sorts. In full-court 5-on-5 action he finished well around the rim, threw down a two-handed fast break dunk in traffic and hit his free throws.
Pikiell said Fall has a 97 percent “crash rate” in practice, highest on the team. In other words, he’s aggressively vying for rebounds on just about every time a shot goes up.
“He’s a high-energy kid who is always moving – because of that you get rebounds and block shots,” Pikiell said. “He attacks shots. He doesn’t wait for them to come to him; he goes and gets blocks.”
Pikiell’s best teams at Rutgers have been anchored by a rim protector at center. First it was Myles Johnson, a master of positioning. Then it was Cliff Omoruyi, an explosive specimen. That piece was glaringly absent last season.
Fall has work to do, to be sure. He remains raw offensively after seeing little time at his previous colleges. And defensively, he’s learning Rutgers’ complex coverages. But there are flashes. A few minutes before blocking Buchanan’s shot, he ran an effective pick-and-roll with guard Tariq Francis – drawing defenders, dishing to freshman Kaden Powers in the corner, then taking a pass back from Powers and while cutting in for a layup. As the opposing unit pushed the ball the other way, he got back into defensive position in time to block a drive by wing Denis Badalau.
“He’s crazy athletic and a good hustle player,” Buchanan said.
“They appreciate that more here,” Fall said of his effort level. “I did similar things in other places, but it didn’t get the same reward or reaction.”
Will the third school be the charm for Baye Fall? After going from McDonald’s All-American to bench warmer, he has no shortage of motivation to make it happen.
“I’m super hungry to go out there and show the world what they missed out on,” he said.
“Meet the Team” night with a special twist
Rutgers’ annual “Meet the Team” night takes place Oct. 16, and this year’s event will include special recognition of the 1976 Final Four squad on the 50th anniversary of the start of that historic season.
Final Four starters Eddie Jordan, Mike Dabney and Hollis Copeland will be on hand, with the possibility of an appearance by standout center James Bailey, who lives in Texas.
The event begins with an open practice at 3:30 p.m. at Jersey Mike’s Arena, followed by a 5 p.m. cocktail hour and a 6 p.m. dinner and program – both at the RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center.
Tickets cost $150 for a single, $250 for a couple, and $5,000 for a sponsored table of 10. Proceeds benefit the program and in particular the Joe Boylan Endowed Scholarship, which was launched by former Rutgers player and longtime program supporter Mike MacDonald in honor of Boylan – a beloved assistant coach on the 1976 team who later became the program’s radio analyst before his death in 2021.
“It’s a great night to remember what Joe Boylan meant to a lot of people, and it’s a great night to introduce our team,” Pikiell said. “Our players will do some fun things and have a discussion panel. I think it’s the best event we do – I like when people see our kids in a different light, see their personalities.”
The deadline to register is Oct. 10. For more information or to register, visit https://cvent.me/OQM8O3.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball center Baye Fall has something to prove
Category: General Sports
