NEW YORK – Fort Wayne Mad Ants forward Rakeem Christmas, playing on assignment from the Indiana Pacers, was today 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. He 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.

For the season, Christmas is averaging 19.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.5 blocks (seventh in the D-League)

Christmas was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 36^th overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, before his rights were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on draft night. His rights were again traded to the Indiana Pacers on July 23, 2015. His assignment with Fort Wayne commenced on Nov. 2

Other top performers considered include Austin’s Boban Marjanovic, Bakersfield’s Terrico White Iowa’s Joel Wright, Sioux Falls’ Greg Whittington, Texas’ Tu Holloway, Westchester’s Jimmer Fredette,

About the NBA Development League
The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2014-15 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on nbadleague.com.