Tacko Fall made his home debut for the Philadelphia 76ers during a 123-112 victory over the Toronto Raptors at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Fans chanted for the 7-foot-6 center, who entered the game for the final 53.8 seconds of play, according to Yahoo Sports.
While the center acknowledged the support, he expressed mixed emotions regarding how he is perceived by the public.
Fall stated that while he appreciates the love, he feels like a “Make-A-Wish kid” when he receives such limited playing time, as reported by Philly Voice.
The player emphasized that he wants to be recognized for his professional contributions rather than his stature.
He noted that he is “just a pretty good basketball player” and should not be viewed as a circus act, per Fadeaway World.
Fall previously played for the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers before spending time in China and New Zealand.
The 76ers signed him to an Exhibit 10 contract in September, which was later converted to a two-way deal.
He had been sidelined by a hip injury during training camp before making his first appearance on Nov. 6.
Despite his efforts to establish himself in the league, his recent appearance resulted in only a single foul recorded.
NBA star Jaylen Brown, who previously played alongside Fall, has advocated for the center to receive more consistent opportunities on the court.
The team faces ongoing questions regarding its backup center rotation, though it remains unclear if Fall will see an expanded role.
Fall maintains that he wants to be known as a dedicated athlete who has worked hard to earn his place in the professional ranks.
He concluded that he does not want his reputation as a nice person to overshadow his professional identity as a capable basketball player.