We've discussed how great Rakeem Christmas's season has been several times in this space -- and will several times more. But tonight, we focus on the summation of his career (to this point, anyway) in Orange.
At the 12:24-mark in the first half against Notre Dame, the Syracuse center became the program's 59th player to hit 1,000 career points. For those observing his time at SU up until this point, that may have appeared to be an insurmountable climb for him just four or five months ago. But now, following his jumper (and a free-throw right after, too), he takes his place among some of the best to ever suit up for 'Cuse.
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While Christmas currently sits 59th on the all-time list, he could conceivably climb as high as 53rd by season's end. To do so, he'd need to hit 1,097 points -- passing Leo Rautins (1,031), Vaughn Harper (1,070), Pete Chudy (1,079), Kueth Duany (1,084), Jon Cincebox (1,087) and Ed Stickel (1,096). Not the easiest thing in the world, obviously. But something to keep an eye out for...
Christmas is the first SU player to hit the 1K club since C.J. Fair (15th on all-time scoring list). He also makes for the third player from the 2012-13 Final Four squad on the list -- joining Fair and Brandon Triche (17th all-time).
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Congrats, Rakeem! It's been a pleasure watching you! And looking forward to these last few games.