Rakeem Christmas
C, Syracuse · 2015 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #36 (MIN)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: availability. Details below.
- Availability
Played 30 games over 2 NBA seasons (~18% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #34 (#6 at his position), close to where he went (#36).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.8% of the time (765 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
23.6 years old on draft night (born 1991-12-01).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.6% of the time (138 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Syracuse.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (1,015 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Length
Wingspan 7' 5" at 6' 10" tall (+7.0 in.), per ESPN's draft profile.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.1% of the time (135 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
C (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.1% of the time (182 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a bust for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 2 |
| Games | 30 |
| Minutes / game | 7.5 |
| Points / game | 2.1 |
| Rebounds / game | 1.9 |
| Assists / game | 0.1 |
| Win Shares (career) | 0.5 |
| VORP | -0.2 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -4.7 |
The 2015 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2015 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within 10 picks of ESPN's rank | 51.8% n=765 | |
| Age 23 or older | 48.6% n=138 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Length +5 in. or more | 51.1% n=135 | |
| Position Center | 51.1% n=182 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 10", 243 lbs |
| Wingspan | 7' 5" |
| Age on draft night | 23.6 |
| Born | Philadelphia, PA |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #34 overall (#6 C) |
Picked around him 2015 redraft
| 33 | Jordan Mickey | redraft #36 |
| 34 | Anthony Brown | redraft #42 |
| 35 | Willy Hernangómez | redraft #21 |
| 37 | Richaun Holmes | redraft #14 |
| 38 | Darrun Hilliard | redraft #40 |
| 39 | Juan Pablo Vaulet | redraft #46 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.