Landra "Jenny" Hamid would have loved this process, her son believes. And Rakeem Christmas also has no doubt that his mother, who died of kidney failure, a complication of lupus, will be looking down in amazement during the June 25 NBA draft.
"She's proud of me," said Christmas, 23, whose mother died when he was 5. "That's all I'm trying to do is make her and my family proud."
So far, so good. The former Academy of the New Church standout is believed to be the first Syracuse basketball player to graduate in three years.
With another season of eligibility left, Christmas went on to excel for the Orange last season.