Like most NBA teams, the Los Angeles Lakers use Summer League not just as a chance to get their young players on the court, but also as an opportunity to get an up-close look at talented players they have had on their radar. This year, one of the most intriguing prospects the team is looking at is 7’2″ French center Moustapha Fall.
In a league where rim protection is a must, Fall’s 7’6″ wingspan could come in handy. At 24 he is a bit older than the typical prospect, but considering the fact that Fall didn’t start playing basketball until he was 17 he still has plenty of room to develop.
In an interview with David Pick for Bleacher Report, Fall mentioned that he likes watching former-Lakers Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard:
I’m tough to compare, but I like to watch Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol. Neither of them have the same profile as I; both aren’t real physical, but I learn a lot from them and do the best I can to use both hands for shooting.
Fall’s desire to be able to score with both hands is certainly admirable, and developing that skill would allow him to fully take advantage of his massive wingspan. Of course, Lakers fans will also get a little chuckle out of Fall characterizing Howard as not “real physical”
As far as his long-term goals, Fall mentions that his deal with the Lakers does not extend into training camp:
I’m with the Lakers for summer league. I don’t want to think about the future too much, but I believe the Lakers have been following me, so I just want to give my best in Las Vegas and see what happens.
Given that the Lakers already have three centers on their roster with Timofey Mozgov, Tarik Black, and Ivica Zubac, it would be a surprise to see Fall make the team. Still, he is a player to keep an eye on, and if he continues to develop he could end up on the Lakers roster sometime down the road.