Rakeem Christmas of St. Croix

NEW YORK – Fort Wayne Mad Ants forward Rakeem Christmas, playing on assignment from the Indiana Pacers, was named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, Nov. 30 – Sunday, Dec. 6.

Christmas (6-9, 239, Syracuse) led Fort Wayne to a 3-0 week behind averages 24.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks. On Dec. 2, Christmas recorded a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds as part of a 98-97 victory to hand the Westchester Knicks their first loss of the season.

The St. Croix native followed that up with a five-block effort in a 98-94 win over the Canton Charge on Dec. 4. On Dec. 6, he scored a career-high 30 points on 11-for-15 shooting, to go along with seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists in a 105-92 victory over the Grand Rapids Drive.

Christmas was a second-round pick in June’s NBA Draft. He was selected 36th overall by Minnesota and was traded later draft night to the Cavaliers. He played collegiately at Syracuse where in his senior season he averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. In his four-year career with the Orangemen, he played 142 games.

“We really liked Rakeem when he came in for pre-draft workouts,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “He is a solid player who was a contributor all four years at Syracuse and we look forward to having him on our team.”

http://www.nba.com/draft/2015/prospects/rakeem_christmas?ls=iref:nba:draft:tracker