Ht/Wt: 6'10" / 243 lbs
Position: PF/C
Team: Syracuse
Class: Senior

2015 Draft Profile - Rakeem Christmas

Strengths
Christmas is a very physically gifted athlete for his size who can defend and run the floor well. Although being a bit undersized to play center, he uses his long wingspan of over seven feet as well as his athleticism to help him on both ends of the court. Overall, he has a big body that NBA coaches will like heading into the draft. Christmas is an excellent defender being very mobile and quick off his feet, helping him as a rim protector and a rebounder.

Christmas really broke out offensively senior season scoring more effectively and being more involved in the offense. He has become more patient on the low block, letting plays develop themselves before giving up position. Christmas has also added a face-up game to his arsenal, which is good since most undersized big men can usually stretch out and hit jumpers in the NBA. He is also an explosive finisher who can attack through contact as well as finish with a few over-the-shoulder moves he's added his senior year.

Christmas is a great vocal leader who plays with great intensity on both ends of the floor, both qualities coaches at the next level love to see.

Weaknesses
Although he plays tough and can control the paint, Christmas is still considered too undersized to play center, keeping him as a power forward. His skill set still points to him being a center, making this a concern for his transition into the NBA. Being undersized would make it harder on him to guard bigger, stronger and taller post players.

At age 23, Christmas is also one of the older players in this class, which will surely worry some scouts who will wonder how much more his game can progress. Usually undersized power forwards tend to have the ability to stretch out and hit mid-range jumpers, a skill Christmas has yet to develop heading into the draft.

His overall offensive game lacks consistency as he has yet to distinguish a go-to-move. Christmas also struggles with double teams in the low post and at times forces bad shots trying to do too much.

Statistics
PPG: 17.5 RPG: 9.0 APG: 1.5 SPG: 0.9 BPG: 2.5 FG%: 55.2 FT%: 71.2

Rakeem Christmas Videos

Rakeem Christmas 2015 NBA Draft Scouting Video Breakdown


An Orange Tribute to Rakeem Christmas


Rakeem Christmas Highlights


Best of Syracuse's Rakeem Christmas vs Wake Forest





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