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:
- 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). Christmas and his mother Landra Hamid moved to St. Croix when he was 2 years old. While he lived in the Virgin Islands, his mother died due to kidney failure at the age of 28. After his mother died, he remained in St. Croix and was raised there by his grandmother, Evelyn Hamid. When he was 13 years old he moved to Philadelphia to live with his aunt, Amira Hamid, who became his legal guardian.
Once there, he 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.
FAMILY: Christmas was married to Jasmine Jordan, the daughter of Michael Jordan. Their son, Rakeem Michael Christmas, was born in May 2019.
He welcomed his second child in 2024 with Instagram influencer Ariel Ramage.
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 an injury-riddled 2016/17 season saw New Zealand miss the playoffs with a 14-14 record, the Breakers entered Paul Henare’s second season without Kevin Dillard (to PAOK Thessaloniki), Akil Mitchell (to Long Island Nets), Paul Carter (to Châlons-Reims), David Stockton (to Reno Bighorns) and Ben Woodside (retired). Corey Webster (to Perth) also departed after New Zealand declined the third-year option on his contract, although he was released by the Wildcats before the season to pursue an opportunity overseas. With the NBL allowing teams to carry three imports, New Zealand added Édgar Sosa (via Al Riyadi Beirut), DJ Newbill (via Oostende) and James Hunter (via Southland), while keeping its third import position open.
New Zealand recovered from its opening loss to win nine consecutive games and reach 9-1, but went 3-5 over its next eight games and was 12-6 when the Breakers used their vacant third import position on January 8 to sign former Indiana Pacers big man Rakeem Christmas (via Galatasaray) for the remainder of the season. Christmas had started the season in Turkey before leaving Galatasaray in November, and Henare had been looking at using the vacant import position for more than a month before deciding an additional interior presence could improve the team. Hunter (2.5 points across 2 games, released) was waived to make room on the roster despite the decision not being performance related, with Henare saying, “Releasing Jimmy was extremely hard, he is a victim of circumstance.”
Christmas (7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds across 12 games) played all 10 remaining regular-season games and both semifinals after joining New Zealand, with the 18 regular-season games he did not play occurring before he signed with the Breakers rather than through injury. He was used primarily off the bench, starting only once, and provided New Zealand with another rebounding and interior option alongside its existing frontcourt.
Christmas’s best game of the season came on his NBL debut against Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre on January 13, where Christmas (14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) played less than 16 minutes off the bench and scored eight points in his first five minutes on the floor. Sosa (20 points) and Newbill (12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, but Nick Kay (20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Illawarra as the Hawks defeated New Zealand 90-79, dropping the Breakers to 12-7 after their sixth loss in nine games.
One of Christmas’s low points came against Illawarra at North Shore Events Centre on February 16, where Christmas (0 points and 4 rebounds) fouled out after playing just over six minutes as New Zealand surrendered a 69-53 lead entering the fourth quarter and lost 84-82. Delany (23 points and 6 rebounds) and Sosa (16 points and 2 steals) led the Breakers, while Demitrius Conger (24 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra’s comeback.
Christmas (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) produced one of his strongest performances in New Zealand’s final regular-season game against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on February 18. Jordan Ngatai (17 points) and Robert Loe (13 points) provided support, but Jason Cadee (30 points and 3 assists) led Sydney to a 101-86 win, handing New Zealand its fourth consecutive loss as the Breakers finished fourth with a 15-13 record.
Sosa (15.8 points and 3.8 assists across 28 games) led New Zealand in scoring and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Newbill (13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals across 30 games) provided another major backcourt option. Kirk Penney (10.1 points across 22 games), Thomas Abercrombie (9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 30 games), Shea Ili (9.3 points and 3.1 assists across 30 games), Loe (7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 games), Alex Pledger (6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games), Mika Vukona (6.2 points and 6.1 rebounds across 30 games) and Delany (5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds across 28 games) rounded out the main rotation, with Ili named the NBL Most Improved Player.
New Zealand entered its semifinal series against Melbourne without Delany, who was ruled out with concussion. Melbourne opened the series at Hisense Arena on March 3 with an 88-77 win behind Casper Ware (33 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Casey Prather (15 points and 5 rebounds) and Tai Wesley (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), while Newbill (19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Ili (16 points and 5 assists) and Christmas (9 points and 7 rebounds) led the Breakers.
Game two moved to Spark Arena, where Christmas (10 points and 8 rebounds) grabbed five offensive rebounds as Newbill (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists), Penney (17 points) and Loe (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) pushed Melbourne to overtime. Josh Boone (33 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks), Ware (15 points and 6 assists), Chris Goulding (14 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Prather (12 points and 11 rebounds) led United, with Boone recovering after Abercrombie blocked his first attempt and scoring the winning put-back in the final second as Melbourne won 88-86 and completed the 2-0 sweep in Penney’s final NBL game.
Rakeem Christmas played one season in the NBL. He averaged 7.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 12 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) | 12 | 186 | 91 | 68 | 4 | 24 | 44 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 34 | 36 | 75 | 48% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 36 | 75 | 48% | 41% | 48% | 14 | Totals | 12 | 186 | 91 | 68 | 4 | 24 | 44 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 34 | 36 | 75 | 48.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 36 | 75 | 48.0% | 42% | 48% | 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) | 12 | 15.5 | 7.6 | 5.7 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 6.3 | 48% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 3.0 | 6.3 | 48% | 41% | 48% | 14 | Total | 12 | 15.5 | 7.6 | 5.7 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 6.3 | 48.0% | 0.0 | 0.0% | 48.0% | 42% | 48% | 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.
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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 | 58% | 32% | 63% | 77% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 36 | 75 | 48.0% | 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% |
| 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 (2023–2024) | Venezuela - Cocodrilos de Caracas (2022) | Mexico - Santos del Potosí (2023–2024) | Uruguay - Biguá (2024) | Indonesia - Amartha Hangtuah Jakarta (2025–2026)
Rakeem Christmas joined Galatasaray for the 2017–18 season in Turkey, signing on 17 August 2017 and averaging 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds across 10 games in the Turkish BSL and EuroCup before leaving the club in November 2017.
In five EuroCup appearances for Galatasaray, he averaged 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 16.0 minutes while shooting 55.0 per cent from the field and 80.0 per cent from the free-throw line, with his best performance coming in a 74–71 win over Reggiana when he recorded nine points, 13 rebounds and an efficiency rating of 18.
Christmas also played five Turkish BSL games and averaged 9.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 19.7 minutes while shooting 52.8 per cent from the field, opening his league season with 15 points in an 82–58 win over Gaziantep and adding 12 points in a 69–67 victory over Darüşşafaka.
After his stint with the New Zealand Breakers, Christmas joined Henan Shedianlaojiu for the 2018 season in China, with his move to the National Basketball League club announced in June 2018.
Christmas joined 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, shooting 50.0 per cent from the field while collecting 14 points and 13 rebounds in 43 minutes of tournament action.
Arecibo went 1–2 in its FIBA Americas League semifinal group, with Christmas recording seven points and five rebounds in a 78–69 win over Las Ánimas after producing four points and five rebounds against San Lorenzo, and he also made one BSN appearance for Arecibo with six points and five rebounds.
Rakeem Christmas joined Magnolia Hotshots for the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup season in the Philippines and averaged 13.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists across three games, starting all three and also averaging 1.0 block while collecting 36 rebounds in 107 minutes.
Christmas debuted for Magnolia with eight points, 14 rebounds and three assists against TNT before collecting another 14 rebounds in the opening game of the Commissioner’s Cup quarter-finals, with the Hotshots losing their two-game playoff series to Barangay Ginebra.
Rakeem Christmas joined Ormanspor for the 2019–2020 BSL season in Turkey after the club announced his signing on 21 August 2019 and averaged 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds across four games, shooting 50.0 per cent from the field.
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, starting each appearance and averaging 26.2 minutes while shooting 51.0 per cent from the field.
Rakeem Christmas joined Yulon Luxgen Dinos for the 2020–2021 Super Basketball League season in Taiwan after being added to the roster in November 2020, and on 1 January 2021 he produced 31 points and 10 rebounds against Bank of Taiwan.
Later in the regular season, Christmas recorded 22 points, 10 rebounds and two assists as Yulon defeated Pauian 105–82, while his interior production helped the club finish second in the SBL regular-season standings.
Christmas opened Yulons 2021 playoff series against Bank of Taiwan with 29 points, including 10 in the third quarter, to lead a 74–70 Game 1 victory, then followed with 30 points and 19 rebounds in Game 2.
A recurrence of plantar fasciitis forced Christmas out of the remainder of the series after the opening two games, with Yulon eventually advancing past Bank of Taiwan before the SBL championship series was cancelled because of COVID-19 and Yulon and Taiwan Beer were declared 2021 co-champions.
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, starting all three while shooting 53.3 per cent from the field in 20.4 minutes per game.
Rakeem Christmas joined Cocodrilos de Caracas for the 2022 Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto season in Venezuela and averaged 6.7 points and 2.3 rebounds across 15 games, adding 0.9 blocks in 13.4 minutes per appearance while shooting 50.0 per cent from the field.
Christmas scored 14 points with two rebounds, two blocks and one steal as Cocodrilos opened the Eastern Conference final with an 81–79 overtime win over Guaiqueríes de Margarita, then added 10 points in an 85–80 road victory that helped the club advance through the series.
Cocodrilos reached the 2022 SPB championship series against Trotamundos de Carabobo, where Christmas scored 15 points in the deciding game before Trotamundos completed the series victory and Cocodrilos finished as league runners-up.
Rakeem Christmas joined Marineros de Puerto Plata for the 2023 Dominican Republic LNB season after being signed on 23 May, and he scored 23 points with seven rebounds in his debut the following night against Indios de San Francisco de Macorís.
Rakeem Christmas joined Santos del Potosí for the 2023 LNBP season in Mexico and averaged 9.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.8 blocks across 25 starts while shooting 51.6 per cent from the field in 22.1 minutes per game.
His 2023 season included 17 points in a 102–91 win over Correcaminos and 19 points in 22 minutes as Santos came from 14 points down to defeat Freseros de Irapuato 80–74, while the club held a 14–12 record when Christmas was replaced in early November because of injury.
Rakeem Christmas joined Biguá for the 2023–24 Liga Uruguaya season in Uruguay and averaged 8.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal across five games in 21.4 minutes per appearance.
During his Biguá stint, Christmas scored 15 points in a 94–61 victory over Larre Borges before producing 20 points against Aguada in February 2024.
Rakeem Christmas returned to Marineros de Puerto Plata for the 2024 Dominican Republic LNB season, recording 16 points and 12 rebounds against Cañeros del Este before adding 21 points and six rebounds in a 97–94 overtime win over Soles de Santo Domingo Este.
He followed with 19 points and eight rebounds as Marineros defeated Metros de Santiago 86–72 to improve to 5–3 during the 2024 season.
Rakeem Christmas returned to Santos del Potosí for the 2024 LNBP season in Mexico and averaged 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds across 11 games, starting every appearance and adding 0.7 blocks while shooting 47.3 per cent from the field in 23.5 minutes per game.
Santos finished the 2024 regular season 14–18 and reached the LNBP play-in, where the club was eliminated by Dorados de Chihuahua in a three-game series.
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 a 17-game stretch, with his All-Star selection placing him on the Foreign Stars roster after receiving 3,030 votes.
Through the full 2025 regular season, Christmas appeared in all 26 games and averaged 16.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 28.2 minutes as Hangtuah improved to 16–10 and finished seventh to qualify for the playoffs.
On 12 February 2025, he produced 24 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in an 81–74 victory over Pelita Jaya, giving Hangtuah its first win over Pelita Jaya in club history.
Christmas also recorded 23 points and 11 rebounds in a 71–68 victory over Borneo Hornbills in April, with Hangtuah moving to 13–4 during a four-game winning streak.
In the 2025 playoffs he averaged 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists across three games against Dewa United, including 10 points, five rebounds and three blocks in a 77–76 Game 2 win before Hangtuah lost the deciding Game 3 and was eliminated 2–1 in the opening round.
Christmas returned to Amartha Hangtuah Jakarta for the 2026 IBL season and played all 20 regular-season games, increasing his averages to 18.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks while playing 35.2 minutes per game.
His 2026 season included 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 79–70 win over Satya Wacana, while Hangtuah completed the regular season at 10–10 and qualified for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Christmas recorded 10 points, four rebounds and three assists in 11 minutes of Game 1 against Satria Muda before suffering plantar fasciitis, which ruled him out of Game 2 as Hangtuah lost the first-round playoff series 2–0.
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.
Christmas was initiated as an honorary member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity during his sophomore year at Syracuse. Christmas is thought to be the first player in Syracuse men's basketball history to finish his undergraduate degree in 3 years.
AWARDS
- McDonald's All-American (2011)
Related
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