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.
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 | 162.7 | 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 | 56% | 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% | 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 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% | 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% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Turkey - Galatasaray (2017), Ormanspor (2019–2020) | New Zealand - New Zealand Breakers (2018) | China - Henan Shedianlaojiu (2018) | Puerto Rico - Capitanes de Arecibo (2019), Mets de Guaynabo (2020), Cangrejeros de Santurce (2022) | Philippines - Magnolia Hotshots (2019) | Taiwan - Yulon Luxgen Dinos (2020–2021) | Dominican Republic - Plaza Fernando Valerio (2022), Marineros de Puerto Plata (2023), Marineros de Puerto Plata (2024) | Venezuela - Cocodrilos de Caracas (2022) | Mexico - Santos de San Luis (2023), Santos de San Luis (2024) | Uruguay - Biguá (2024) | Indonesia - Amartha Hangtuah Jakarta (2025)
Christmas joined Galatasaray for the 2017 EuroCup season, playing his first season in Turkey, and averaged 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds across 10 games before leaving in November 2017.
After a stint with the New Zealand Breakers, Christmas joined Henan Shedianlaojiu for the 2018 season in China. Rakeem Christmas next played for Capitanes de Arecibo for the 2019 season in Puerto Rico and averaged 4.7 points and 4.3 rebounds across three FIBA Americas League games.
Rakeem Christmas joined Magnolia Hotshots for the 2019 PBA season in the Philippines and averaged 13.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists across three games.
Rakeem Christmas joined Ormanspor for the 2019–2020 BSL season in Turkey and averaged 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds across four games.
Rakeem Christmas joined Mets de Guaynabo for the 2020 BSN season in Puerto Rico and averaged 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks across four games.
Rakeem Christmas joined Yulon Luxgen Dinos for the 2020–2021 season in Taiwan.
Rakeem Christmas joined Plaza Fernando Valerio for the 2022 Santiago League season in the Dominican Republic.
Rakeem Christmas joined Cangrejeros de Santurce for the 2022 BSN season in Puerto Rico and averaged 5.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks across three games.
Rakeem Christmas joined Cocodrilos de Caracas for the 2022 season in Venezuela and averaged 6.7 points and 2.3 rebounds across 15 games.
Rakeem Christmas joined Marineros de Puerto Plata for the 2023 season in the Dominican Republic.
Rakeem Christmas joined Santos de San Luis for the 2023 LNBP season in Mexico and averaged 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games.
Rakeem Christmas joined Biguá for the 2024 season in Uruguay.
Rakeem Christmas returned to Marineros de Puerto Plata for the 2024 season in the Dominican Republic.
Rakeem Christmas returned to Santos de San Luis for the 2024 LNBP season in Mexico and averaged 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds across 11 games.
Rakeem Christmas joined Amartha Hangtuah Jakarta for the 2025 IBL season in Indonesia and was named an IBL All-Star while averaging 17.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 17 games.
COLLEGE
Rakeem Christmas played college basketball for the Syracuse Orange from 2011–12 to 2014–15, finishing as one of the program’s most durable frontcourt starters with 142 games played and 142 career starts, which tied for the second-most starts in school history at the time he finished.
After redshirting in 2010–11, Christmas stepped straight into a major role in 2011–12, playing 37 games and starting 35 as Syracuse won 34 games, captured the Big East regular-season title (17–1), and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.
In that 2012 NCAA tournament run, he became a bigger factor after Fab Melo was ruled academically ineligible, and across Syracuse’s four NCAA tournament games that season he averaged 5.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21.5 minutes, including eight points and 11 rebounds against Kansas State.
As a sophomore in 2012–13, Christmas remained a full-time starter and started all 40 games (noted by Syracuse as a school record), averaging 5.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 20.8 minutes as the Orange reached the Final Four.
In 2013–14, Syracuse moved into the ACC and Christmas again started every game he played (34 starts), lifting his production to 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while serving as one of the team’s primary interior defenders and finishers around the rim.
His senior season in 2014–15 became the peak of his NCAA career, as he jumped to 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game across 31 starts, scored in double figures in 29 of 31 games, and logged 12 double-doubles while ranking among the ACC leaders in scoring (third), blocks (second), and field-goal percentage (fifth at .552).
That breakout earned Christmas ACC Most Improved Player in a vote of the league’s head coaches, alongside major postseason recognition including First Team All-ACC and ACC All-Defensive Team honours, plus national All-America selection with USA Today naming him to its second team and Syracuse also noting Sporting News third-team All-American recognition.
He was also listed as a finalist for multiple national awards during that 2014–15 season, including the John Wooden Award, the Oscar Robertson Trophy, and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award.
Statistically, Christmas closed his Syracuse career as the 59th player in program history to reach 1,000 points, tied with Baye Moussa Keita for sixth-most games played in program history (142), and finished eighth in school history in blocked shots with 247.
His senior-year game log was loaded with big single-game spikes, including a career-high 35 points against Wake Forest (13-of-21 shooting), 29 points with eight rebounds and four blocks against Louisville (9-of-10 from the field), 25 points against Holy Cross, 24 points and 10 rebounds against Long Beach State, and 23 points with six blocks at Pittsburgh.
Team-context wise, Christmas’ final season ended without postseason play, as Syracuse self-imposed a 2014–15 postseason ban that removed the program from the ACC Tournament and all postseason tournaments that year.
AWARDS
- McDonald's All-American (2011)
Related
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