RALEIGH, N.C. — With 1:22 left in Syracuse’s season, Rakeem Christmas’ career was over.

The senior forward walked off the PNC Arena court and began a series of hugs with his teammates as he walked along the Syracuse bench.

“It hits you. This is your last game playing here,” Christmas said. “This is the best four years I had, that’s all I can ask for.”

Christmas wrapped up his stellar senior campaign Saturday in the Orange’s (18-13, 9-9 Atlantic Coast) regular-season finale, a 71-57 road loss to North Carolina State (19-12, 10-8). Despite a rough first half in which he shot just 1-for-8, Christmas salvaged it with an improved second half to end his Syracuse career with a 15-point, 12-rebound performance — not long after it was revealed he’s one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award, given to the most outstanding college basketball player.

Saturday was his 12th double-double of the season, representative of the staple Christmas was for the Orange all season long until the bitter end.

“Rak is a special kid,” SU assistant coach Mike Hopkins said. “You get a guy who graduates in three years, you get a guy who’s done everything you want him to do. And when it comes to a conclusion … it’s not easy. So it’s hard to see a kid like that leave.

“He’s been a warrior. He’s been that 40-minute guy every night. He’s rebounding. He’s brought it. He’s been a great leader. He’s brought professionalism every day.”

Coming into this season, Syracuse was returning the fewest percentage of the previous year’s scoring in all of Jim Boeheim’s 39 years coaching Syracuse.

And Christmas, who had only earned playing time at SU for his defense and rebounding, was asked to be the go-to scorer in the post that he’d never been before — not even in high school.

But he delivered from the start of the season until the end, accounting for 25.9 percent of the Orange’s points throughout. Thanks to his refined footwork and a sharper scoring touch from the paint, he dropped a career-high 35 to hold off Wake Forest in overtime on Jan. 13 and went for 29 points to upset then-No. 12 Louisville at home on Feb. 18.

“He’s had as good a year as anyone in the country. He carried us for most of the season,” Hopkins said.

But due to Syracuse’s self-imposed postseason ban, Christmas won’t get a chance to flash his improved talents in the ACC or NCAA Tournaments.

His season, and career, instead come to a close in Raleigh, North Carolina while the other ACC teams prepare for the conference tournament.

“Stuff happens for a reason. I’m not disappointed at all,” Christmas said.

Now, he said, he’ll turn his attention to this week off with his family.

Then it’ll come time to evaluate and see where to start his push for a professional career.

Said Christmas: “I’m looking forward to the future right now. I had a great four years and a great run and I am grateful for that.”

Published on March 7, 2015 at 5:05 pm

Contact Phil: pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb