The Breakers have signed former NBA centre Rakeem Christmas for the rest of the ANBL basketball season.
The Breakers celebrate another win Photo: Photosport
Christmas was drafted into the NBA in 2015 by the Minnesota Timberwolves and then traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he has played 30 games before heading to Europe in 2017.
The 26 year old arrived today and becomes the third import on the Breakers roster along with DJ Newbill and Edgar Sosa.
James Hunter has been released to make way for Christmas.
Breakers Head Coach Paul Henare outlined the reasons for bringing in a third import, an option that was always there should the team feel the need.
"We always had that spot up our sleeves, probably more as injury cover for our local spots, but we feel we need an injection to our group, someone who can provide a presence for us at both ends of the floor, fit in and complement the group we have."
The Breakers are at the top of the table, level on wins with Perth and Melbourne, Henare made the point that the move is a positive one to add something to an already successful group.
"We are not a desperation team trying to make the play offs - although it is a bit of a dog fight trying to get in there. It was more trying to find someone to complement and make our group a whole lot better.
"Rakeem is a genuine threat at both ends, he had a good four-year career at Syracuse and had a break out year in his senior year. He has flirted with the NBA and he brings legitimate shot blocking at the defensive end and protects the rim. On the offensive end, while he shows some touches around the free throw line, he provides some real athleticism and a target at the rim, which we want to utilize with the shooters we have on the floor."
The powerful centre has links to the club through DJ Newbill, and has spoken with him and others about making the move to the Breakers.
"One of my friends Eric Devendorf from Syracuse played out there in the Australian League and in New Zealand. He is friends with the GM who got in contact with him and he got in contact with me.
"I know a couple of people in the States that have played against the Breakers, either from College or the G League. But I talked to DJ Newbill, I know DJ from going to high school in Philly and we have the same agency, and he told me a lot of great things about the League and the Breakers. Both he and Eric spoke highly of both."
Christmas described what he will bring to the club and to the team on the floor.
"I am a physical player I try to do the little things to help set screens, pick and rolls, bring a defensive presence, rebound, and I am a lob threat. If I have to score down in the post, I will happily go do that. I guess I just try and do the things to help win games.
"I have spoken with Coach Henare and we talked about the team and him just wanting me to come in and play my role."
Henare says the search has been a patient one, with the move not being rushed in any way as they looked for the right fit.
"I have been looking at this for a long time, I have been talking with the owners and management team for over a month, the one thing I wanted to stress was that we were making a move that complements our group, fits the puzzle that we have and obviously fits the qualities and attributes that we are after."
Bringing Christmas in means someone has to make way, and the unlucky player on the other side of the conversation is Jimmy Hunter. Henare describes one of the toughest conversations of his career in telling a player hugely respected and loved at the club, that through no fault of his own, he won't be suiting up for the remainder of the season.
"Releasing Jimmy was extremely hard, he is a victim of circumstance. It would have been much easier if he was a dickhead and didn't deserve his spot and didn't train hard. But he does all of those things and has still been waived. It is extremely difficult, he is a much-loved member of this team and we all hope he decides to stay on and keep working on his game and aim for his goal of being a fulltime professional basketball player. We think we can continue to help him while he is here, and we would love him to do so."
Rakeem Christmas will practice with the team for the first time at Atlas Place tomorrow (Tuesday), and will be available for interview post practice at approximately midday, along with Head Coach Paul Henare.
Rakeem Christmas
26 years old
6'9" (206cm)
Born: New Jersey
High school: Academy of the New Church. (Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania)
College: Syracuse (2011-2015)
NBA draft: 2015 / Round: 2 / Pick: 36th overall - Minnesota Timberwolves
2015 to 2017 Indiana Pacers (NBA), 30 games
2017 Galatasaray (Turkey)
