5-star C Baye Fall hearing from Kentucky, looking for development

2023 five-star center Baye Fall is one of the most unique bigs in the junior class. Standing 6-foot-10, 205 pounds, he’s a high-energy, two-way threat who runs the floor well and finishes in transition. It’s why he’s ranked No. 7 overall and No. 1 among centers on the On3 Consensus, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services.

Known previously as a prospect who needed to develop his body and turn his potential into production, Fall is slowly growing into his height and length. It’s allowing him to hold his own against other bigs with college-ready size, including a head-to-head victory against fellow five-star center Somto Cyril, who stands 6-foot-11, 240 pounds.

“It’s coming, it’s coming pretty good,” Fall said at the Adidas 3SSB Session 1. “My body is growing, working with strength coaches. Working on balance, quickness, bounce, stuff like that. I think it’s coming together a little bit. As soon as my body is done growing, I’ll get a lot stronger. Right now I’m not doing heavy weights, just light weights.”

His production and growth is why he’s being courted by numerous high-majors, with Kentucky among the schools recruiting him the hardest.

“Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Colorado, Kentucky, and Rutgers,” Fall told KSR.

It’s a process he’s enjoying, one he’s remaining patient with.

“Yeah, it’s fun. It was a lot of pressure at the beginning, but then it’s fun now talking to the coaches, learning how to talk to them even more and know them better,” he told KSR. “I know what I want, so I’m just going to keep enjoying the process, then I’ll make a decision.”

Fall took an official visit to Arkansas back in February, his lone recruiting trip this year. It’s a visit he thoroughly enjoyed with his family in Fayetteville.

“It was good. It was an official visit,” he said. “I had family there, my dad and family were with me in Fayetteville. We went on the official, it was fun, they played against Kentucky. It was a good game, they won. It was a good atmosphere, I enjoyed it.”

Speaking of Kentucky, Fall continues to hear from the coaching staff in Lexington, namely assistant coach Chin Coleman.

“I’m talking to the (assistant) coach (Chin Coleman), he recruited me at Illinois,” Fall told KSR. “Then Coach Cal, he was talking to my dad and stuff, they came to my practice. We have a pretty good relationship, text sometimes. I think it’s a great school with a pro atmosphere. They can get you ready for the next level.”

Will Kentucky receive a visit? It’s among the schools he’s thinking about seeing.

“Right now we don’t know yet because we have school stuff,” Fall said. “When I’m free, then I’ll have a few visits to take, some schools I’m considering.”

What about the professional route? Will that be an option for the five-star big? At least one specific program is in contention.

“I’m not considering the Overtime Elite stuff,” Fall said. “Me and my family talked about it, they reached out and we thought about it, but that’s not what’s good for us. But we’re considering the G League and other overseas options.”

When it comes time to make a final decision, the five-star center is considering continued growth, accountability and academics.

“Just a good atmosphere and an environment, somewhere that can get me ready for the next level,” Fall told KSR. “Also somewhere that can help me with academics because my family is big on academics. Somewhere that will enjoy playing me and help me get better, hold me accountable.”