76ers Sign 7-Foot-6 Tacko Fall and Jameer Nelson Jr. to Camp Deals

Philadelphia signed Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr., and Saint Thomas to Exhibit 10 contracts for their upcoming training camp in Camden, New Jersey.

The Philadelphia 76ers officially added 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall, guard Jameer Nelson Jr., and forward Saint Thomas to their roster on Tuesday. These three athletes signed Exhibit 10 contracts, which are one-year, non-guaranteed deals that allow players to participate in training camp while providing the organization with their G League rights. The team will convene at their practice facility in Camden, New Jersey, later this month to begin formal preparations for the 2024-25 NBA season. Fall, who possesses an 8-foot-4 wingspan, returns to the American professional circuit after a tenure in the Chinese Basketball Association.

Key details

During his most recent stint in the NBA, Fall appeared in 11 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout the 2021-22 campaign. Before his time in Ohio, the Senegalese big man spent two seasons with the Boston Celtics, where he averaged 2.7 points and 2.6 rebounds across 26 appearances. His professional journey recently took him to the Ningbo Rockets in China, where he utilized his massive frame to anchor the interior defense. The 76ers front office, led by Daryl Morey, is utilizing this camp invite to evaluate how Fall’s height can disrupt opponents during preseason scrimmages.

Jameer Nelson Jr. joins the Philadelphia squad following a significant statistical output in the NBA G League. While playing for the Stockton Kings, the 6-foot-2 guard averaged 18.9 points per game over a 25-game span. He demonstrated efficient scoring mechanics, converting 47.5% of his field goal attempts and 36.8% of his shots from beyond the three-point arc. Beyond his scoring, Nelson Jr. contributed 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals per contest, showcasing a two-way capability that the 76ers coaching staff intends to test in Camden.

The signing of Nelson Jr. carries a historical weight within the Philadelphia basketball community. His father, Jameer Nelson Sr., is a legendary figure in the city, having starred at Saint Joseph’s University before a 14-year NBA career. Currently, the elder Nelson serves as the 76ers’ assistant general manager and the general manager of the Delaware Blue Coats. This training camp opportunity allows the younger Nelson to compete for a spot within the same organization where his father oversees basketball operations and player development.

Latest developments

Saint Thomas rounds out the trio of Exhibit 10 signings, bringing familiarity with the 76ers' developmental system. During his previous season with the Delaware Blue Coats, Thomas averaged 12.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. His shooting efficiency stood at 46.6% from the floor, complemented by an average of 3.7 assists. Thomas has shown versatility as a forward, capable of rebounding and initiating transition plays, which aligns with the high-tempo style often implemented by the Blue Coats’ coaching staff.

Exhibit 10 contracts serve as a strategic tool for NBA franchises to bolster their affiliate rosters. If Fall, Nelson Jr., or Thomas are waived by the 76ers and subsequently spend at least 60 days with the Delaware Blue Coats, they become eligible for a financial bonus. This structure incentivizes players to remain within the team's ecosystem rather than seeking opportunities overseas. The Camden training camp will serve as the primary evaluation period to determine if any of these three individuals will earn a two-way contract or a final spot on the 15-man regular-season roster.

Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported the transaction details on September 1, 2024. The 76ers enter this camp with a revamped roster featuring Paul George and Joel Embiid, and the addition of Fall provides a unique look for the second unit during practice sessions. The team’s medical and coaching staff will monitor the physical conditioning of all three new signees as they integrate into the Philadelphia system. With the preseason schedule approaching, these roster moves finalize the group that will compete for minutes behind the established starters in the Eastern Conference.