Dionte Christmas

Christmas attended Samuel S. Fels High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a junior in 2002–03, he averaged 17.7 points per game, earning honorable mention all-Public honors. As a senior in 2003–04, he averaged 26.5 points per game, earning first team all-Public League and third team all-City honors.{{cite web | url=http://owlsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1674 | title=Dionte Christmas – 2008–09 Men's Basketball | work=OwlSports.com | access-date=July 25, 2014}}

After completing his education at Samuel Fels, Christmas prepped for a year at Lutheran Christian Academy in 2004–05. He ranked among the Top 40 prep school players in the nation by Hoop Scoop's Clark Francis after averaging 18 points per game while leading his team to a 35–3 record. He was also an all-tournament selection at the 2005 National Prep Invitational held at the University of Rhode Island.

In his freshman season at Temple, Christmas played in all 32 games, making lone start in final game of season against Akron. He averaged 3.5 points per game, sixth best on squad and tops among reserves.{{cite web | url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/dionte-christmas-1.html | title=Dionte Christmas Stats | work=Sports-Reference.com | access-date=July 25, 2014}}

In his sophomore season, he played in all 30 games, starting 29, as he earned second team All-District and All-Atlantic 10 honors, and was named the Atlantic 10's Most Improved Player. He also earned first team All-Philadelphia Big 5, Big 5 Most Improved Player, and picked up Cy Kaselman and Palumbo awards as city-league's top free throw percentage leader and scoring champion, respectively. In 30 games, he averaged 20.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

In his junior season, he started all 34 games averaging 37.2 minutes per game. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Atlantic 10 Tournament, and earned first team All-Atlantic 10 and first team Big 5 honors. He also earned USBWA first team All-District and NABC second team All-District honors. He became just the third person to win back to back A-10 scoring titles, averaging 19.7 points per game. He also averaged 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

In his senior season, he was named to the All-Atlantic 10 first team and the Atlantic 10 Tournament Most Outstanding Player for the second straight year. In 34 games, he averaged 19.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

Christmas finished his Temple career with 2,043 points, becoming only the fourth player in school history to eclipse the 2000-point mark. During his senior season, he set school records for most three-pointers in a season (107) and career (317). He ranks in Temple's all-time top ten in three-pointers attempted and three-point field goal percentage. He is also the first player to lead the Atlantic 10 in scoring for three consecutive seasons.{{cite web|title=Dionte Christmas Named Lowe's Senior CLASS All-Senior All-America Second Team|url=http://www.owlsports.com/news/2009/4/5/040509aaa_489.aspx|work=OwlSports.com|date=April 5, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2009}}

After going undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft, Christmas joined the Philadelphia 76ers/New Jersey Nets combined team for the Orlando Summer League and the Los Angeles Clippers for the Las Vegas Summer League. On September 28, 2009, he signed with the 76ers. However, he was later waived by the 76ers on October 21, 2009.{{cite web|title=Transactions: 2009–10 Season|url=http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2009_10/|work=Sportando.com|access-date=January 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911062309/http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2009_10/|archive-date=September 11, 2009|url-status=dead}}

On January 4, 2010, he signed with Hapoel Afula of Israel for the rest of the 2009–10 season.{{cite web|title=Dionte Christmas lands in Afula|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/israel/79546/dionte-christmas-lands-in-afula.html|work=Sportando.com|date=January 4, 2010|access-date=January 4, 2010}}

In July 2010, Christmas joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2010 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|title=NBA Summer League Rosters – Vegas|url=http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2010/6/28/1540775/nba-summer-league-rosters-vegas|work=RidiculousUpside.com|date=June 28, 2010|access-date=June 28, 2010}} On August 4, 2010, he signed with Mersin of Turkey for the 2010–11 season.{{cite web|title=Dionte Christmas moves to Mersin|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/turkey/83868/dionte-christmas-moves-to-mersin.html|work=Sportando.com|date=August 4, 2010|access-date=August 4, 2010}} On January 28, 2011, he parted ways with Mersin.{{cite web|title=Mersin and Dionte Christmas part ways|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/turkey/85235/mersin-and-dionte-christmas-part-ways.html|work=Sportando.com|date=January 28, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2011}}

On February 15, 2011, he signed with ČEZ Basketball Nymburk of the Czech Republic for the rest of the season.{{cite web|title=Dionte Christmas moves to CEZ Nymburk|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/cups/adriatic-league/85494/dionte-christmas-moves-to-cez-nymburk.html|work=Sportando.com|date=February 15, 2011|access-date=February 15, 2011}} In April 2011, he left ČEZ Nymburk and joined P.A.O.K. B.C. of Greece for the rest of the season.{{cite web|title=Συμφωνία ΠΑΟΚ και Dionte Christmas|url=http://www.paokbc.gr/news/news/1752|work=PAOKBC.gr|date=April 4, 2011|access-date=April 4, 2011|language=el}}

On October 18, 2011, Christmas signed with Rethymno Aegean B.C. of Greece for the 2011–12 season. In 26 games, he averaged 18.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

In July 2012, Christmas joined the Boston Celtics for the 2012 NBA Summer League. On July 31, 2012, he signed with the Celtics.{{cite web|title=Celtics Sign Smith and Christmas|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/073112-celtics-sign-jamar-smith-dionte-christmas.html|work=NBA.com|date=July 31, 2012|access-date=July 31, 2012}} However, he was later waived by the Celtics on October 16, 2012.{{cite web|title=Celtics Waive Christmas and Smith|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/celtics-release-christmas-and-smith|work=NBA.com|date=October 16, 2012|access-date=October 16, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Dionte Christmas, Jamar Smith waived by Boston Celtics|url=http://www.masslive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/10/dionte_christmas_jamar_smith_w.html|work=MassLive.com|date=October 16, 2012|access-date=October 16, 2012}}

On October 31, 2012, he signed with CSKA Moscow of Russia for the 2012–13 season.{{cite web|title=Dionte Christmas officially moves to CSKA Moscow|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/russia/96186/dionte-christmas-officially-moves-to-cska-moscow.html|work=Sportando.com|date=October 31, 2012|access-date=October 31, 2012}} On February 21, 2013, he was waived by CSKA.{{cite web|title=CSKA Moscow waived Dionte Christmas, sign Papaloukas for the season|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/russia/99406/cska-moscow-waived-dionte-chrismtas-sign-papaloukas-for-the-season.html|work=Sportando.com|date=February 21, 2013|access-date=February 21, 2013}} On April 10, 2013, he signed with Montepaschi Siena of Italy for the rest of the season.{{cite web|title=Mens Sana Siena officially signs Dionte Christmas|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/italy/serie-a/100413/mens-sana-siena-officially-signs-dionte-chrismtas.html|work=Sportando.com|date=April 10, 2013|access-date=April 10, 2013}}

In July 2013, Christmas joined the Utah Jazz for the Orlando Summer League and the Phoenix Suns for the Las Vegas Summer League. On September 13, 2013, he signed with the Suns.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=14250|title=Phoenix Suns sign guard Dionte Christmas|work=InsideHoops.com|date=September 13, 2013|access-date=September 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929191036/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=14250|archive-date=September 29, 2013|url-status=dead}} On November 1, 2013, he made his NBA debut, recording 9 points and 4 rebounds in an 87–84 victory over the Utah Jazz.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20131101/UTAPHX/gameinfo.html|title=Notebook: Suns 87, Jazz 84|work=NBA.com|date=November 1, 2013|access-date=November 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115154635/http://www.nba.com/games/20131101/UTAPHX/gameinfo.html|archive-date=January 15, 2014|url-status=dead}}

In July 2014, Christmas re-joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2014 NBA Summer League. On July 24, 2014, he was waived by the Suns.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-waive-dionte-christmas|title=Suns Waive Dionte Christmas|work=NBA.com|date=July 24, 2014|access-date=July 24, 2014}} On September 26, 2014, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-add-three-players-training-camp-roster|title=Pelicans Add Three Players to Training Camp Roster|work=NBA.com|date=September 26, 2014|access-date=September 26, 2014}} However, he was later waived by the Pelicans on October 17, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-request-waivers-christmas|title=Pelicans Request Waivers on Christmas|work=NBA.com|date=October 17, 2014|access-date=October 17, 2014}}

On November 12, 2014, Christmas signed with Paris-Levallois for the rest of the 2014–15 LNB Pro A season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/france/140836/dionte-christmas-signs-with-paris-levallois.html|title=Dionte Christmas signs with Paris-Levallois|work=Sportando.com|date=November 12, 2014|access-date=November 12, 2014}}

On October 10, 2015, Christmas signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/christmas-signing-2015|title=Cavs Sign Guard Dionte Christmas|work=NBA.com|date=October 10, 2015|access-date=October 10, 2015}} However, he was waived on October 23 after appearing in four preseason games.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/waive-four-players-151023|title=Cavaliers Waive Four Players|work=NBA.com|date=October 23, 2015|access-date=October 23, 2015}} On December 1, he signed with Hapoel Holon of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/israel/183600/hapoel-holon-announces-dionte-christmas.html|title=Hapoel Holon announces Dionte Christmas|work=Sportando.com|date=December 1, 2015|access-date=December 1, 2015}} On January 7, 2016, he was released by Holon{{cite news|url=http://sports.walla.co.il/item/2923216|title=Hapoel Holon let Christmas go, signs in AEK|work=Walla.co.il|date=January 7, 2016|access-date=January 8, 2016|language=he}} in order for him to sign with AEK Athens of Greece for the rest of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/greece/187248/aek-athens-signs-dionte-christmas.html|title=AEK Athens signs Dionte Christmas|work=Sportando.com|date=January 7, 2016|access-date=January 7, 2016}} On February 9, he parted ways with AEK after appearing in just four games.{{cite news|title=Dionte Christmas, AEK Athens part ways|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/greece/190477/dionte-christmas-aek-athens-part-ways.html|access-date=February 9, 2016|work=Sportando.com|date=February 9, 2016}}{{cite news|title=Christmas left AEK Athens|url=http://www.eurobasket.com/Greece/news/437339/Christmas-left-AEK-Athens|access-date=February 9, 2016|work=Eurobasket.com|date=February 9, 2016}} On March 27, he signed with Torku Konyaspor of Turkey for the rest of the 2015–16 BSL season.{{cite news|title=Dionte Christmas İle Anlaşmaya Vardık|url=http://www.konyasporbasket.org/hdetay.asp?hid=556|access-date=March 27, 2016|work=konyasporbasket.org|date=March 27, 2016|language=tr}}

On October 24, 2016, Christmas signed with the Philadelphia 76ers,{{cite news|title=Sixers Sign Temple's Dionte Christmas|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/sixers-sign-temples-dionte-christmas|access-date=October 24, 2016|work=NBA.com|date=October 24, 2016}} but was waived the same day.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/sixers-waive-five-players|title=Sixers Waive Five Players|work=NBA.com|date=October 24, 2016|access-date=October 24, 2016}} Five days later, he was acquired by the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League as an affiliate of the 76ers.{{cite web|url=http://delaware.dleague.nba.com/news/3320/|title=SEVENS INVITE 13 PLAYERS TO TRAINING CAMP|work=NBA.com|date=October 29, 2016|access-date=November 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103234214/http://delaware.dleague.nba.com/news/3320/|archive-date=November 3, 2016|url-status=dead}} On February 7, 2017, Christmas suffered a right Achilles tendon rupture and was subsequently ruled out for the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/dionte-christmas-out-for-season-with-achilles-injury/|title=Dionte Christmas: Out for season with Achilles injury|work=cbssports.com|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=February 11, 2017}} He was waived later that day.{{cite web|url=http://basketball.realgm.com/dleague/teams/Delaware-87ers/36/Transaction_History|title=Delaware 87ers Transactions History|work=realgm.com|access-date=February 11, 2017}} In 31 games with the Sevens, he averaged 14.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 31.6 minutes.

On January 25, 2018, Christmas signed with Ciclista Olímpico of the Liga Nacional de Básquet.{{cite news|title=Dionte Christmas signs at Olimpico de La Banda|url=http://www.latinbasket.com/Argentina/news/520528/Dionte-Christmas-signs-at-Olimpico-de-La-Banda|access-date=January 25, 2018|work=Latinbasket.com|date=January 25, 2018}}

{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2013}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix

| 31 || 0 || 6.4 || .355 || .290 || .750 || 1.2 || .3 || .1 || .1 || 2.3

|-

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 31 || 0 || 6.4 || .355 || .290 || .750 || 1.2 || .3 || .1 || .1 || 2.3

{{S-end}}

{{Euroleague player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2012–13

| style="text-align:left;"| CSKA Moscow

| 13 || 6 || 15.2 || .483 || .556 || .727 || 1.1 || .7 || .4 || .1 || 6.5 || 4.2

|-

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 13 || 6 || 15.2 || .483 || .556 || .727 || 1.1 || .7 || .4 || .1 || 6.5 || 4.2

{{S-end}}

• 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans

{{Reflist|2}}

{{basketballstats|bbr=c/chrisdi01}}

• [http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/202091/ NBA.com profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401124428/http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/202091/ |date=2016-04-01 }}
• [https://www.tblstat.net/player/1681 TBLStat.net Profile]
• [http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/tem/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/christmas-aa-flyer.pdf All-American Candidate flyer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002524/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/tem/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/christmas-aa-flyer.pdf |date=2016-03-04 }}

{{Greek Basket League Top Scorers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Christmas, Dionte}}

Category:1986 births

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