Former Boston Celtics player Tacko Fall signs with the Philadelphia 76ers on an Exhibit 10 contract, the team announced Tuesday. The 7-foot-6 center, along with Jameer Nelson Jr. and Saint Thomas, will join the Sixers for training camp later this month, aiming for a roster spot or a two-way deal ahead of the upcoming NBA season.
Fall, who went undrafted in 2019 after four years at the University of Central Florida, brings the most NBA experience among the three new signings. He spent two seasons with the Boston Celtics and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers, appearing in 26 games for the Celtics and 11 for the Cavaliers between 2019 and 2022. During his NBA career, he averaged 2.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks over approximately six minutes per game, as reported by Liberty Ballers.
After his time in the NBA, Fall played professionally for four seasons across the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), according to Liberty Ballers. Most recently, he played for the CBA’s Ningbo Rockets, where Bleacher Report stated he averaged 11.2 points on 80.1 percent shooting over 38 games last season. During his previous NBA stints, particularly with the Celtics, Fall became a notable fan favorite, often drawing ‘We want Tacko’ chants when he entered games, Yahoo Sports highlighted.
The Sixers also signed Jameer Nelson Jr., son of the team’s executive vice president of basketball operations, Jameer Nelson. Nelson Jr., an undrafted free agent in 2024 who completed his college career at TCU, spent time with G-League affiliates for the Spurs and Kings, and a half-season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. He averaged 18.9 points on 47.5-percent shooting for the Stockton Kings in 25 games last season, Liberty Ballers reported. The third signing, Saint Thomas, went undrafted in 2025 and has been part of the Sixers organization, playing for the Delaware Blue Coats and on Philadelphia’s Summer League roster for the past two years. He averaged 12.5 points on 46.6-percent shooting, five rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game for the Coats in 60 appearances last season, according to Liberty Ballers.
Understanding Exhibit 10 Contracts and Roster Dynamics
The contracts signed by Fall, Nelson Jr., and Thomas are Exhibit 10 deals, which Bleacher Report, citing Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman, explained are one-year, non-guaranteed agreements. These contracts allow NBA teams to bring players into training camp to compete for either NBA or G-League roster positions. A notable feature of Exhibit 10 contracts is their convertibility into two-way deals, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin via Bleacher Report and Yahoo Sports. If a player on an Exhibit 10 deal is waived, the team retains their G-League rights, according to Yahoo Sports.
NBA teams are permitted to sign three players to two-way contracts each season. The Sixers had two of these spots remaining after earlier signing Caleb Love, who was a two-way player for the Portland Trail Blazers last season, Bleacher Report noted. Liberty Ballers reported that the Sixers’ third and final two-way spot was likely to be kept open heading into camp, suggesting these signings could fill that void. Fall faces a challenging path to secure a final spot on the 76ers’ main roster, though Yahoo Sports suggested the team could benefit from additional depth at the center position.
Global Basketball Paths and Philadelphia’s Season Outlook
Tacko Fall’s career trajectory, moving from the NBA to international leagues like the Chinese Basketball Association and Australia’s National Basketball League before potentially returning to an NBA roster, reflects a growing trend in professional basketball. This global movement of talent provides significant opportunities for players to continue developing their skills and maintaining high-level competition outside of the NBA, enhancing the international basketball landscape. For an international readership, this demonstrates the interconnectedness of professional leagues worldwide, influencing player development strategies, scouting networks, and the global appeal of the sport.
The Philadelphia 76ers are entering the upcoming season with high expectations. The Athletic, SB Nation, and ESPN all anticipate the Sixers to finish among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, as noted by Liberty Ballers. The team has already announced its preseason schedule for the 2026-27 season, with an opening game against the New York Knicks. The regular season is scheduled to commence on October 20 with an away game against the defending champion Knicks, Bleacher Report confirmed.
As training camp approaches later this month, all eyes will be on Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr., and Saint Thomas as they compete for roster spots. Their performance will be crucial in determining whether their Exhibit 10 deals convert to two-way contracts or lead to opportunities with the Sixers’ G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, shaping the depth of Philadelphia’s roster for a season with significant aspirations.
Image: Liberty Ballers
Sources consulted
- Liberty Ballers: Sixers announce three training camp signings
- Bleacher Report: Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr. Sign 76ers Contracts, Latest NBA Rumors Reveal Details
- Yahoo Sports: Ex-Celtics Fan Favorite Joins Jaylen Brown on 76ers Roster
Bruno Kadez is a sports writer focused on performance, competition, and athlete insights. He covers major sporting events, player analysis, and trending stories across leagues. His reporting captures both the data and the emotion behind the game.
