NBA starTacko Fallhas a hidden talent up his (very long) sleeve: orchestra conductor!
The 7’5” Boston Celtics rookie took the stage as guest conductor for the Boston Pops on Monday, leading the famed musicians in a rousing rendition of the holiday classic “Sleigh Ride.”
Fall, 24, looked the part in a black tuxedo and bowtie, and gave Santa Claus a handshake on stage before he assumed his position on the podium.
He received a warm introduction from Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, who even gifted the athlete a special baton that read, “Congratulations to Tacko!” according to theBoston Globe.
“Someone has come on the scene here, and in a few short months has stolen everybody’s hearts, not just ‘cause of his athletic ability, but also because of the size of his spirit and the broadness of his smile,” Lockhart told the crowd at Symphony Hall. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s an honor to welcome the tallest person to ever conduct the Boston Pops, No. 99, Tacko Fall!”
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“What an awesome experience, thank you @thebostonpops!” he later wrote on Instagram.
Fall told theGlobethe occasion was the first time he’d ever worn a tuxedo, and that he was rocking a size-48 double-extra-long.
“I look good,” he said. “At least that’s what they say.”
Of course, Fall isn’t the first Celtic to helm the orchestra —Shaquille O’Nealdid the same in 2010, conducting three songs with the Pops, including “Sleigh Ride.”
O’Neal later joked that the gig really took a toll on him: “I have a whole new respect for conductors. I went through a rehearsal today, and my arms are shot right now,” he said at the time, according toESPN.
Fall told theGlobehe brushed up on O’Neal’s performance to help prepare for his own.
In October, the Celtics converted Fall to atwo-way contract, which allows him to play for the Celtics as well as the team’s G-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, according toBoston.com.
source: people.com
