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ORLANDO, Fla. -- A year ago, the reflection Tacko Fall was seeing wasnt the image everyone else saw in UCFs raw but intriguing 7-foot-6 freshman center.Fast forward to this season, and there is a new coaching staff, a new energy around the Knights program and definitely a different Fall. The shy, towering young man is getting more comfortable on the basketball court.I can definitely be a force in the paint, the engineering major from Senegal told The Associated Press. I feel like there is really nobody who can guard me in the paint.Nobody? A bold statement, though Fall has had an impressive start to the season and turned heads during last weekends Charleston Classic.For the first time this season, the nation got a chance to see how much the goggle-wearing big man has improved. Fall dominated against the likes of Mississippi State and defending national champion and third-ranked Villanova. He averaged a double-double over the three-game tournament, including a 20-point, 13-rebound showing in a 67-57 loss to the Wildcats in the championship game.He caught the eye of ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale, who mentioned Fall on his Twitter page.I see it but I cant let it go to my head, said Fall, who was named the American Athletic Conference player of the week on Monday after averaging 17.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and three blocked shots in the first four games this season. I still have a lot to work on. I can get a lot better.The attention and accolades Fall is receiving are a far cry from what life was like five years ago when he and a friend, Ange Badji, were spotted by a man named Ben Simmons in their native home of Dakar, Senegal.Simmons, who did not return phone calls from the AP, helped Fall and Badji get visas to the United States.Fall was coming from a poor background, living with his mother and little brother in a one-bedroom apartment where the basic necessities were hard to come by -- including going to school.Fall, who was 7-foot-3 and 16 years old at the time, said his mother -- who only speaks French and has never seen him play -- was promised that he would be taught the game of basketball, have a chance to earn a quality education and possibly a college degree. But it didnt happen that way when Fall and Badji initially landed in the U.S. in October 2012.For the better part of a year, Fall and Badji bounced around Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Kansas and Illinois in search of charter schools.Finally, in September 2013, they landed in Tavares, Florida, and on the doorsteps of Liberty Christian Preparatory School basically homeless. But that is when life began to change for the better.Amanda Wettstein and her family took Fall and Badji into their home.There were some negative things and there were some positive things because when I came to Florida I met great people, my host family, said Fall, a native French speaker who learned English quickly. They are still there and are basically part of my family now. We talk every day. They live 45 minutes away from here. They treat me like Im their own child.Wettstein and her husband took the boys in not knowing much more than their first names and that they were in need.Neither the school or us had information about them, said Wettstein, whose mother-in-law is a counselor at Liberty Christian. At the time we didnt know anything about their journey, just that they had been in Tennessee and were homeless and needed a place.The 6-foot-5 Badji is currently attending TNG Prep Academy in Tennessee.As for Fall, it wasnt long before it was apparent that he was more than just a tall kid with basketball potential. He was also extremely bright.After scoring in the 90th percentile the first time he took the SAT, Fall spent his junior and senior years playing at Liberty Christian.He played AAU hoops in 2014, and had great success. He was invited to the NBA Top 100 and Nike Skills Academy, after which the college opportunities came pouring in. Georgetown, Harvard, Xavier and Wake Forest were among the 36 offers he received, but UCF and former head coach Donnie Jones won out.The Knights had something others didnt: a location that allowed Fall, who was tired of moving, to stay close to those he was familiar with and who he felt cared about him.After finally getting cleared to play by the NCAA just before last season, Fall was a raw freshman who showed ability as a shot blocker and post defender.This year, with former Stanford coach and Duke All-American Johnny Dawkins at the helm at UCF, Fall has continued to improve. Dawkins and his staff have worked with Fall since arriving, improving his offensive game, his strength and post presence.Dawkins said that because of how well Fall runs the floor, his touch around the basket and shot-blocking ability, the only limit to his upside is his imagination and how hard he works.I tell Tacko all the time: `Tacko you can change the game. You can revolutionize our game at your size, said Dawkins, whose team is off to a 4-1 start. With that (size) and the ability to move up and down like he does on the floor, his mobility, he could revolutionize our game.The NBA is the logical next step for Fall, though its unclear when he might make that jump. However, with Dawkins mentoring him and Falls size and athletic ability, he will get a look by someone.Fall believes he is up for the challenge, and after what he has been through, no one is counting him out.The ultimate goal for me is to play in the NBA, Fall said confidently, because I think its going to open so many doors for me to be able to take care of my family, help people back home and give opportunities to people back home like I was given the opportunity to help others.---More AP college basketball at http://collegebasketball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-Top25Hydro Flask Hinta . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Hydro Flask Pullo .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. http://www.hydroflaskpullosuomi.com/hydro-flask-32-oz.html . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Hydro Flask Suomi . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Hydro Flask Coffee Suomi . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net.LOS ANGELES -- The Rams are 4-7 in their first season back in Los Angeles, and now they seemingly have alienated one of the franchises most popular players.Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson, a star when the team last played on the West Coast, said Monday in a phone conversation with ESPN that Rams coach Jeff Fisher basically told Dickerson he didnt want him on the sideline during games because some of his public comments have made players uncomfortable.According to Dickerson, Fisher later backtracked in that conversation after Dickerson defended his right to speak out, but Dickerson said he vowed to Fisher that he would never go to a Rams game as long as Fisher is the teams coach.I wont be at the Coliseum as long as Fisher is coaching, Dickerson reiterated Monday. Im a man of my word, and if I tell you something, Im going to do it.Dickerson said on AM 570 in L.A. earlier Monday that someone from upper management told him he was not welcome on the sideline. That prompted Rams COO Kevin Demoff to go on the defensive. He tweeted his support of Dickerson and later told ESPN that he didnt know where the message came from, adding: Hes always welcome at practice. Hes always welcome at games. Theres never been any message to the contrary.Later, in his scheduled briefing with the media, Fisher was asked about Dickersons not being allowed on the sideline and said, I dont know where thats coming from. Fisher then touched on a really good conversation he had with Dickerson last week and added: Id welcome him in the building. Id love to have him come in. Id love to have him come to practice. Id love to have him come in the meetings.That prompted Dickerson to reveal that it was Fisher who made the call, doing so first in a conversation with Fox Sports Radio.He said it took place a couple of Thursdays ago, and he was expecting it. At the Rams groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 17 in Inglewood, California, Dickerson said he asked for sideline passes for a few friends and was told the organization feels a little uncomfortable about his recent criticism of the team. Dickerson was told to expect a call from Demoff or general manager Les Snead.Then Fisher called. They spoke for about a half-hour, Dickerson said.According to Dickerson, Fisher said the following: Players feel uncomfortable with you coming on the sidelines, some of the stuff you said about the team, about coaches and the players. And as long as Im head coach, were not going to have that. Youre not going to be saying stuff. Youre not going to be coming to the sidelines as long as Im head coach here.Dickerson said he let Fisher finish before telling him, You think Ive been waiting on the Rams to come back to town? Thats not me. People who know me know, Im not here with my hand out. Do you feel like I owe yall something? Send me a bill.Dickerson said that after Fisher tried to interrupt him, he told the Rams coach, You can go anyplace else. You can go back to Tennessee, you can go to Cleveland, you can go to SC. Still, Im going to be Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams. Thats why I wear that gold jacket. I have the right to say what I say. Im not trying to hurt the players. ... Im a frustrrated player and a frustrated fan.dddddddddddd I watch this every week. I love the players. Im always a player first.When Fisher backtracked and said Dickerson would be welcomed back on the sideline, Dickerson said he told the coach, You dont ever have to worry about me coming to football games ever again. I like coming to games basically because of the fans -- not because of the football games.Dickerson, 56, played for the Rams from 1983 to 1987 and rushed for 7,245 yards in 65 games. He felt wronged when the Rams traded him to the Indianapolis Colts midway through the 1987 season, but he remained a fan of the organization upon retirement. Dickerson hosted the rookies at his house over the offseason, was part of the broadcast team during the preseason and attended the groundbreaking ceremony along with a handful of other luminaries.But he hasnt minced words about the Rams shortcomings. Dickerson has harshly criticized the offensive line, talked openly about how boring the offense can be and even questioned the credentials of quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke, who he doesnt believe has earned the right to coach a No. 1 overall pick in Jared Goff.Demoff called Dickerson on Monday to try to set the record straight, but Dickerson was at a barbecue and didnt answer. He said he would call him back on Tuesday.When you lose football games, people are going to be outspoken, Demoff said. I think we all understand that, and I think everybody believes that Erics entitled to his opinion, as a former player, as a Hall of Famer and somebody whos been part of our family. Certainly, youre going to listen to what he has to say. But I think were all frustrated and disappointed, and I just think Erics viewpoints on his show is that. And he has every right to express himself. I dont think we would ever attempt to silence him or warn him to feel as if he doesnt have that platform.Dickerson stressed that he will remain a fan of the Rams, but it probably wont ever be the same. He said he doesnt feel welcomed by the organization, regardless of what Demoff and Fisher stated publicly. Dickerson believes Demoff and Fisher praised him publicly only because they got caught with their pants down.This didnt come from the players, Dickerson said. You think the players care about when I come on the field? You think theyre worried about that? Hell no. The players aint worried about that. This comes from upper management. This comes from Kevin Demoff and Jeff Fisher. Thats where this comes from.Dickerson makes his home in Southern California. He is a crucial part of the organizations reconnecting with the fan base it left behind more than 20 years ago. But now he will settle into the background, at least while Fisher -- with an expiring contract -- is employed.Dickerson was asked if he is hurt by all this.Of course it hurts, he said. Of course it hurts. It reminds me of the old regime of the Rams. Its the old regime all over again. Its not about the players. Its about what they want to do. Its not about winning. For me, its all about winning. ' ' '