A basketball player, Rakeem Christmas, whose parents are from the community of Wesley, has been acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers during last week’s NBA Draft.
Here is a description of Christmas by draftexpress.com:
“Rakeem Christmas came to life as a 23-year old senior. He strung together a very productive season that will unfortunately come to a premature conclusion as Syracuse self-imposed a postseason ban preventing the team from competing in the NCAA Tournament, ACC Tournament, and NIT.”
“Christmas’ role grew dramatically playing for one of the weakest Syracuse teams in Jim Boeheim’s tenure, with his usage rate rising from a middling 12-13% his first three years to 26% as a senior. Despite the huge increase in touches, his efficiency remained extremely high, with his 62% TS% rating 14th best among college players in our Top-100 prospect rankings. He’s been very effective with his back to the basket this season, is a near-automatic finisher around the rim off cuts and pick and rolls, and hits a respectable 71% of his free throw attempts, a place where he’s found himself very frequently.”
“Sporting very good physical tools, Christmas doesn’t have great size for a center at 6-9, but makes up for that somewhat with a very long 7-3 wingspan, strong athletic ability, and a frame that should continue to fill out in time. This, combined with his solid timing and ability to get off the ground quickly, helps him as a rim protector, where he blocks 2.9 shots per-40 minutes, good for 12th among DX Top-100 prospects.”
Christmas was born in New Jersey to parents Landra Hamid and Ronald Christmas from Wesley. The family moved to St. Croix when he was two years old. After his mothers passing he went on to live in Philadelphia where he attended high school before attending Syracuse University.
During his time in St. Croix, his family visited the island every summer and he was well known on the basketball court in Wesley.
At Syracuse University he earned honors academically as well as on the basketball court.
“I think he was relieved,” his agent, Stephen Pina, was quoted as saying. “And one thing I know about Rakeem, he’s ready to go out there and hurt somebody. If there’s anybody I’m ready to see rumble, it’s that kid right there. I believed in that kid since he was in the 10th grade.”
good vibes too bad his mom is not there in person live up for her and your home town Dominica bless
Hello and good afternoon my people. I would like to congratulate the young man on his accomplishments on the Basketball Court and in the Classroom. It’s always better to hear that one of our citizen child is doing good rather than hearing something negative. The negative comments are uncalled for so let us acknowledge him in sports and education.
FET FET ! Wesley is he ur cousin meant his mom mumoma.
Them say she his muoo ma was Wesley’s pretiest girl ever.
Hahahahahaha well we can well understand LMAO!
What did I just read?
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Rakeem. So proud of you. Now you join ranks with your cousin Karima and put the Christmas name in the spotlight once again! It’s all good and we are proud of you both. Wish you both continuous success on your journey. The world is your Oyster and there is no obstacle too great to overcome when you put your mind to it. Keep putting God first as you reach for the Sky and remember your family are always behind you both . Forget about the Haters and Naysayers their opinion is Irrelevant. Be true to yourselves always and keep pressing forward. You both are an Inspiration to all and proof that you can accomplish your Goal with hard work and determination. Kudos to you both!!!!
I am hoping that Dominicans can support this youth, as fervently as the Virgin Islands supported Tim Duncan! Let’s rally around this youth.
AD you don’t know the guy and if you haven got any thing to say just stay out of the comment box cause that’s a plus for Dominica and is not to say he don’t come to DOMINICA cause I have a picture of him playing basketball in Dominica
But does he claim us? That, Zany Jospeh, is the true question. Whether he has family here or has been here has nothing to do with it. Will he at the end of the day proudly proclaim Dominican heritage? Then, and only then, should we bandwagon behind the Dominican in his parentage.
Amazing! The only child of the most beautiful girl from Wesley, sweet Jenny. Raised by his grandmother, the beautiful Evelyn Robin and amazing Aunty, Jamila. This is such a harm warming sorry on all levels! Wishing him the best! But with these super women behind him, there is no doubt, Rakeem is going to go all the way!
Congrats Rakeem . Very humble young man. He was in Dominica in 2014
But… what does he have to do with us? Does he claim Dominica as a home? No mention in the article gives this idea. That’s like saying the great grand daughter of an African is the Queen of England (which, just pointing out, is true) so Africa should be proud of her.
why you people always prove how dumb you are by making these comments? if you have nothing to say just stay out of the forum! Try finding out who his relatives are before making these stupid comments. Be happy for others when they achieve their Goal in life and let it be an inspiration to you to improve on yours. Stop being Negative all the time. Just got to pray for people like you.
His relatives have nothing to do with it. If he speaks of this Nature Isle then all is well. His parents are not the recognisable ones, he is. This is not being negative, this is being realistic. If and when he claims Dominica, then we should happily bandwagon. I applaud his achievements but refuse to metaphorically photobomb the young man who was born in New Jersey, USA of parents from Dominica, covering him with our gorgeous flag if he never asked to be covered with it in the first place.
How very nasty of you. Shameless!
No, just realistic.
Padna, what’s ur problem, you jealous or something. Tired with u guys negative comments. Can’t u ead the man is of Wesley parents.
His parents don’t play basketball and his parents didn’t get drafted. He did.
as they want recognition now dere. They claiming him but he ain’t claiming them. I ain’t kissing under nobody foot
stfu nobody want to kiss your dutty laboo bottom foot stupesssssss < you are nothing but a hater you and AD . thats why you will stay how you are MISERABLE
Mealone is a sicko!
AD, Go walk on hot coals for couple hours, barefooted!
AD, did you hear or see him disown his Dominican heritage??? No, and you would never see or hear that because he is as Dominican as can be. Stop the hating and congratulate.
That’s my game and my team let’s go DA. Congrats to you
Congratulations! Wish you more success!
That’s the problem with our people is a what you can do for me. The Guy don’t owe us anything he got picked at 36 he’s not going to make that much money rite now. You people to damn greedy.
The man is 23 not 36….i just want to see him play thats all
He meant he was selected 36th in the Draft not that he is 36 lol
What a lot of people are not aware of do not know is that unlike many other players Rakeem has the brains as well completing his Masters degree and his brother plays professionally in Europe.
Are you sure about that? All this is not necessary just congratulate the boy and end it. Which brother of his plays professionally? All he and Dionte Christmas has in common is the same last name. They are not related. Dionte’s parents are not Dominicans.
More reason for me to watch Cleveland win championship next year if he actually makes the final roster and is not traded.
Congratulations!!
Congrats! Looking forward to seeing this kid play.
Great job rakeem you deserve every bit of recognition am so proud of you
Go Rakeem Go!! Landra Hamid also know as Jenny Edwards (deceased), you mom, of Wesley is smiling down on you!! Go make her proud!! Congratulations and wishing you success with King James’s Team!!
Wow! Good things come from the land. Great job!
Don’t stop…. Keep it up…. Word to it sponsors and scouts. Dominica has a lot of potential when it comes to the area of sports. Great amazing athletes…not talking about no Mac n cheese , burger eating athlete. Talking about fish water, braf -fig eating – hard core- strong leg -adrenaline nonestop athletes….seriously. check for yourself
This is fabulous news! Long May our flag fly high on all corners of the world!! Well done & May god guide you and continue to make you successful. God bless DOMINICA.
Go Wesley go!!! Great job young man!
This is the second person of Wesley parentage and of course a second Christmas in the basket ball majors. He joins the likes of Kareema Christmas ( Daughter of Byron and Jacinta Christmas of Wesley) now residing in Houston, Texas who plays for the Tulsa, Oklahoma WNBA Team. She has actually won a ring with the Indianapolis WNBA Team and is darn good center.
Looks like the Christmas’ a well paytweee folks built for the rigors of these sports. Though they are of Dominican parentage and not born Dominicans, it shows that their parents who are Dominicans kept them focused. I join the Dominican community in congratulating them and wishing them continued success. Please don’t forget to always raise the flag of the Isle Of Beauty, Isle Of Splendor whenever you get the chance. We will be watching and supporting. Good thing Cleveland is already my team
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
we have world class/ we produce world class people, it’s just that too many leave the island, then again there are people we are fine with D/ca the way it is, anyways good job to them
I was looking at the NBA draft and also an ESPN documentary on Rakeem Christmas and interestingly I evan to wonder whether the kid has roots Dominica. During my pondering I look at his face and vompared it to some of the Christmas family that I know and I just had a gut feeling that there was some connection.
A very good low post player on both ends of the court. From what I see he will be a premier player in the NBA
For ur info, Yes he does.. he’s my coursin,.., coursin
Keep it up Bro make your family proud
Congrats young man
Congratulations Rakeem.