It may only be November, but with the rookie averaging 21.5 points and 8.0 rebounds, the Christmas season already appears to be in full-swing in Fort Wayne.
Rakeem Christmas made his D-League debut with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants last weekend, while Shayne Whittington began his second stint with Indiana's affiliate in what is expected to be an extended assignment for both players. The Mad Ants swept their opening weekend, coming away with consecutive victories against the Raptors 905 and advancing to 2-0 on the season.
Not unlike their parent club, it was evident from the tip of Saturday's game that the Mad Ants will be putting extra emphasis on spacing this season, as Whittington, 6-foot-11, spent the majority of both games on the perimeter being utilized as a long-range pick-and-pop shooter and, occasionally, even as a trailer.