DJ Newbill
February 2, 2021
Rakeem Christmas
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 1/12/91
- Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA)
- Position: PF/C
- Height (CM): 206
- Weight (KG): 113
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Syracuse (2011–2015)
- NBL DEBUT: 13/01/18
- AGE AT DEBUT: 26
- LAST NBL GAME: 5/03/18
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 26
- NBL History: New Zealand 2018
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Rakeem Christmas was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) and attended Northeast Catholic High School between 2007 and 2009. Before his junior year he transferred to Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. As a junior, he averaged 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game.
During his senior season, he averaged 11.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 30.9 blocks per game.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Rakeem Christmas made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 26 years of age. He scored 14 points in his first game.
After a injury decimated season, New Zealand looked to rebuild in Paul Henare’s second year as coach. Kevin Dillard, who joined the team for the last nine games, was retained and it was hoped that the on court success witnessed during the last month of the season would be able to be extended across NBL18. The major move of the off-season saw the Breakers cut ties with Corey Webster after multiple situations where the two parties no longer saw eye to eye. This led to Webster first signing a two-year deal with Perth, then after turning the heads of some European team’s whilst playing in the 2017 NBA Summer League, requested a release prior to the NBL season starting. The remainder of the roster was retained and with league expanding the number of import a team can sign from two to three, added backcourt duo DJ Newbill and Édgar Sosa.
New Zealand then started the season in hot form, going 6–1 after five rounds thanks to the selflessness of Newbill (13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals) and Sosa (15.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Back-up guard Shea Ili (9.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) also posted impressive numbers, becoming a vital piece of the team’s second unit and claimed the NBL’s Most Improved Player at the end of the season.
With a win over the Perth Wildcats on 9 November, the Breakers moved to a 7–1 record, tying their best start in franchise history. They went on to defeat Perth again three days later, moving them to a 8–1 record. They moved to 9–1 with a win over Brisbane on 19 November, as they headed into the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification break atop the NBL ladder and on a nine-game winning streak.
After returning from the FIBA break, the Breakers lost four out of their first five games and dropped to 10–5 following Round 10. With Dillard (18.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals) injured, they chose to bring in NBA player Rakeem Christmas (7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds) in early January to bolster their squad.
Despite finishing the regular season with back-to-back losses, New Zealand finished in fourth place (15–13) and went on to face Melbourne and former coach Dean Vickerman in the semifinals. United handed the Breakers back-to-back defeats in the semifinals, following a overtime loss in Game 2 (88–86). Club legend Kirk Penney played (10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) his final NBL game in the game two loss, finishing with a 17-point effort.
Rakeem Christmas played one season in the NBL. He averaged 7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 11 NBL games.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 26 | New Zealand | 15-13 (4) | 11 | 163.0 | 78 | 59 | 4 | 20 | 39 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 31 | 31 | 63 | 49% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 16 | 31 | 52% | 50% | 49% | 14 | Totals | 11 | 163 | 78 | 59 | 4 | 20 | 39 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 31 | 31 | 63 | 49.2% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 16 | 31 | 51.6% | 51% | 49% | 14 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 26 | New Zealand | 15-13 (4) | 11 | 14.8 | 7.1 | 5.4 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 5.7 | 49% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.5 | 2.8 | 52% | 50% | 49% | 14 | Total | 11 | 14.8 | 7.1 | 5.4 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 5.7 | 49.2% | 0.0 | 0.0% | 51.6% | 51% | 49% | 14 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 14 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Rakeem Christmas was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with pick #36 in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Christmas played 30 games in the NBA. He averaged 2.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.1 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- September 17, 2014: Traded by the Sacramento Kings (as a future 2015 2nd round draft pick) with Jason Terry and a 2016 2nd round draft pick (Chinanu Onuaku was later selected) to the Houston Rockets for Alonzo Gee and Scotty Hopson.
-
December 19, 2014: As part of a 3-team trade, traded by the Houston Rockets (as a future 2015 2nd round draft pick) with Troy Daniels, cash and a 2016 2nd round draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves; the Houston Rockets traded Sergei Lishouk and a 2015 2nd round draft pick (J.
- P.
- Tokoto was later selected) to the Philadelphia 76ers; the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Corey Brewer to the Houston Rockets; the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Ronny Turiaf to the Philadelphia 76ers; and the Philadelphia 76ers traded Alexey Shved to the Houston Rockets.
- (Top-45 protected and not conveyed) (Minnesotas 2nd-round pick in 2015 and 2016 are protected for picks 50-60 and 31-45, respectively).
-
June 25, 2015: Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2nd round (36th pick) of the 2015 NBA Draft.
-
June 25, 2015: Traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves (as a future 2015 2nd round draft pick) with a 2015 2nd round draft pick (Cedi Osman was later selected) and a 2019 2nd round draft pick (Justin James was later selected) to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Tyus Jones.
-
July 23, 2015: Traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Indiana Pacers for a 2019 2nd round draft pick (Eric Paschall was later selected).
-
July 27, 2015: Signed a multi-year contract with the Indiana Pacers
-
July 6, 2017: Waived by the Indiana Pacers.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 57% | 34% | 61% | 80% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 31 | 63 | 49.2% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 25 | Indiana | PF | 29 | 0 | 219 | 59 | 56 | 4 | 26 | 30 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 37 | 19 | 43 | 44% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 21 | 29 | 72% | 53% | 44% |
| 2015-16 | 24 | Indiana | PF | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 100% | 100% |
| 2015-16 | 24 | Indiana | PF | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 100% | 100% |
| 2016-17 | 25 | Indiana | PF | 29 | 0 | 219 | 59 | 56 | 4 | 26 | 30 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 37 | 19 | 43 | 44% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 21 | 29 | 72% | 53% | 44% |
| 2015-16 | 24 | Indiana | PF | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 100% | 100% |
| 2016-17 | 25 | Indiana | PF | 29 | 0 | 219 | 59 | 56 | 4 | 26 | 30 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 37 | 19 | 43 | 44% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 21 | 29 | 72% | 53% | 44% | Total | 30 | 0 | 225 | 63 | 57 | 4 | 27 | 30 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 38 | 21 | 45 | 47% | 0 | 0 | 21 | 29 | 72% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 24 | Indiana | PF | 1 | 0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 100% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 100% | 100% |
| 2016-17 | 25 | Indiana | PF | 29 | 0 | 7.6 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 44% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.7 | 1.0 | 72% | 53% | 44% | Total | 30 | 0 | 7.5 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 47% | 0.7 | 1.0 | 72% |
AWARDS
- McDonald's All-American (2011)
Related
HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PLAYER?
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com
