Keifer Sykes

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Keifer Sykes

| image = Keifer Sykes (51923141826) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Sykes with the Indiana Pacers in 2022

| position = Point guard

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lb = 167

| league = PLK

| team = Legia Warsaw

| number = 28

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|12|30}}

| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

| high_school = John Marshall
(Chicago, Illinois)

| college = Green Bay (2011–2015)

| draft_year = 2015

| career_start = 2015

| years1 = 2015–2016

| team1 = Austin Spurs

| years2 = 2016–2017

| team2 = Anyang KGC

| years3 = 2017–2018

| team3 = Ankara DSİ

| years4 = 2018–2019

| team4 = Felice Scandone

| years5 = 2019

| team5 = Guangzhou Loong Lions

| years6 = 2019–2020

| team6 = Olimpia Milano

| years7 = 2020

| team7 = Türk Telekom

| years8 = 2020

| team8 = Panathinaikos

| years9 = 2020–2021

| team9 = South East Melbourne Phoenix

| years10 = 2021

| team10 = Fort Wayne Mad Ants

| years11 = {{nbay|2021|full=y}}

| team11 = Indiana Pacers

| years12 = 2022–2023

| team12 = Motor City Cruise

| years13 = 2023

| team13 = Long Island Nets

| years14 = 2023–2024

| team14 = Windy City Bulls

| years15 = 2024–2025

| team15 = Openjobmetis Varese

| years16 = 2025–present

| team16 = Legia Warsaw

| highlights =

PLK champion (2025)
KBL All-Star (2017)
2× Horizon League Player of the Year (2014, 2015)
3× First-team All-Horizon League (2013–2015)
{{nowrap|2× AP Honorable mention All-American (2014, 2015)}}

}}

Keifer Jerail Sykes (born December 30, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for Legia Warsaw of the Polish Basketball League (PLK). He played college basketball for the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Sykes is featured in the 2018 documentary film Chi-Town, produced and directed by Nick Budabin,{{cite web|title=Chitown - Official Site|url=http://ChitownTheMovie.com|access-date=April 7, 2022}} following his path from high school to his brush with the NBA.

Early life

Sykes, a {{Height|ft=5|in=11}} point guard, was born in Chicago, Illinois, to the late James Sykes as the second oldest of seven children.{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Koob |title=Family First: Keifer Sykes |url=http://www.jrn.com/nbc26/news/236898501.html |work=jrn.com |date=December 21, 2013 |access-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303064919/http://www.jrn.com/nbc26/news/236898501.html |archive-date=March 3, 2014}} He starred at John Marshall Metropolitan High School in Chicago, where he was named second team All-Chicago Public High School League by the Chicago Sun-Times.{{Cite web |title=Keifer Sykes - Men's Basketball |url=https://greenbayphoenix.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keifer-sykes/1957 |access-date=January 28, 2021 |website=University of Wisconsin Green Bay Athletics |language=en}}

College career

After graduating high school, Sykes committed to play college basketball for coach Brian Wardle and eventually alongside Marshall teammates Alfonzo McKinnie and Vincent Garret, at Green Bay.{{cite web |first=Joe |last=Henricksen |title=Keifer Sykes headed to UW-Green Bay |url=http://voices.suntimes.com/sports/city-suburban-hoops-report/keifer-sykes-headed-to-uw-gree/ |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=September 24, 2010 |access-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303065016/http://voices.suntimes.com/sports/city-suburban-hoops-report/keifer-sykes-headed-to-uw-gree/ |archive-date=March 3, 2014}}

From his freshman year in 2011–12, Sykes was immediately inserted into the Phoenix starting lineup, and was also the youngest player in the nation, let alone youngest starter. He averaged 11.2 points and 3.3 assists per game. At the end of the season, Sykes was named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer team.{{cite web |first=Bill |last=Potter |title=Horizon League Announces Men's Basketball Award Winners |url=http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/horizon-league-announces-mens-basketball-award-winners.html |work=Horizon League |date=February 27, 2012 |access-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810074845/http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/horizon-league-announces-mens-basketball-award-winners.html |archive-date=August 10, 2013}}

As a sophomore, Sykes increased his production to 15.9 points and 4.3 assists per game and led the Phoenix to the 2013 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. He was named first team All-Horizon League.{{cite web |first=Bill |last=Potter |title=McCallum Leads Men's Basketball Award Winners |url=http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/mccallum-leads-mens-basketball-award-winners.html |work=Horizon League |date=March 4, 2013 |access-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221230249/http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/mccallum-leads-mens-basketball-award-winners.html |archive-date=December 21, 2013}}

At the start of the 2013–14 season, Sykes was named to the preseason All-Horizon League team and was a nominee for the Bob Cousy Award for top point guard in the country.{{cite web |title=Sykes Named to Bob Cousy Award Watch List |url=http://www.greenbayphoenix.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209288958 |work=Green Bay Phoenix |date=October 22, 2013 |access-date=March 2, 2014}} Sykes and {{Height|ft=7|in=1}} standout player Alec Brown led the Phoenix to a 24–5 regular season record and finished first in the Horizon League. The season included an upset over eventual Atlantic Coast Conference regular season champion (and NCAA tournament 1-seed) Virginia in a game which saw Sykes score 21 points and distribute 10 assists.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400502723 |title=Green Bay holds on to beat Virginia 75-72 |work=ESPN.com |date=December 7, 2013 |access-date=March 2, 2014}} In a 69–66 loss to Wisconsin, Sykes scored 32 points, including a highlight dunk in the first possession of the game. At the conclusion of the regular season, Sykes was again named first team all-conference, he was named an honorable mention AP All-American, and was named Horizon Player of the Year.{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Potter |url=http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/2014-hlmbb-award-winners-announced.html |title=2014 #HLMBB Award Winners Announced |work=Horizon League |date=March 3, 2014 |access-date=March 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613002104/http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/2014-hlmbb-award-winners-announced.html |archive-date=June 13, 2014}} A loss in the Horizon League tournament, due in part to a Sykes injury, led the Phoenix to missing an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament and playing in the National Invitation Tournament.

For his senior season, Sykes had high expectations as he was placed on the Bob Cousy Award Watch List (later becoming a Cousy Award Finalist), the Wooden Award Watch List, and the Naismith Award Watch List during the preseason. On February 26, 2015, playing in his hometown of Chicago, Sykes scored a career-high 36 points against UIC to surpass the 2,000-point mark for his career. Sykes became the only active player in the nation with 2,000+ points, 500+ assists, and 400+ rebounds. He also became the only player in Horizon League history to record those same career totals. Sykes won the 2015 Horizon League player of the year to join the elite company of players to win the award twice.{{cite web |url=http://wbay.com/2015/02/27/phoenix-keifer-sykes-crosses-the-2000-mark/ |title=Phoenix Keifer Sykes crosses the 2,000 mark |work=wbay2.com |date=February 27, 2015 |access-date=March 1, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320024503/http://wbay.com/2015/02/27/phoenix-keifer-sykes-crosses-the-2000-mark/ |archive-date=March 20, 2015}} For the second time in his career, he was named to the Honorable Mention AP All-American team.{{cite web |title=Sykes named AP honorable mention All-American |url=http://fox11online.com/2015/03/31/sykes-named-ap-honorable-mention-all-american/ |publisher=WLUK-TV |access-date=March 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402143238/http://fox11online.com/2015/03/31/sykes-named-ap-honorable-mention-all-american/ |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=dead}} For the week of January 4–10, 2015, Sykes won the Naismith National Player of the Week Award. In that week, Sykes averaged 28.7 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game while shooting 53.6% from the field, 50% from three, and leading the Phoenix to a 3–0 record. Sykes set a conference record as he was named the Horizon League player of the week thirteen times over his career.{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Scott |title=Green Bay's Sykes is HL Player of the Week |url=http://www.wrn.com/2015/03/green-bays-sykes-is-hl-player-of-the-week/ |access-date=March 2, 2015 |publisher=Wisconsin Radio Network |date=June 22, 2015}} Sykes was one of eight invitees to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2015 Final Four, where he placed second.{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Venci |title=Keifer Sykes will be in Final Four dunk contest |url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/sports/college/uwgb/2015/03/26/keifer-sykes-will-final-four-dunk-contest/70516398/ |access-date=March 31, 2015 |publisher=Green Bay Press-Gazette |date=March 26, 2015}}

Professional career

=Austin Spurs (2015–2016)=

After going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, Sykes joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2015 NBA Summer League.{{cite news|title=Cavs Announce 2015 Samsung NBA Summer League Roster|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/summer-league-roster-2015|website=NBA.com|date=July 7, 2015|access-date=September 28, 2015}} On September 28, 2015, he signed with the San Antonio Spurs,{{cite news|title=Spurs announce 2015-16 training camp roster|url=http://www.nba.com/spurs/spurs-announce-2015-16-training-camp-roster|website=NBA.com|date=September 28, 2015|access-date=September 28, 2015}} only to be waived by the team on October 21 after appearing in three preseason games.{{cite web|title=Spurs waive Fredette, Ndoye, Sykes and Thomas|url=http://www.nba.com/spurs/spurs-waive-fredette-ndoye-sykes-and-thomas|website=NBA.com|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=October 21, 2015}} Nine days later, he was acquired by the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of San Antonio.{{cite web|title=AUSTIN SPURS ANNOUNCE 2015 RETURNING PLAYERS AND TRAINING CAMP INVITEES|url=http://austin.dleague.nba.com/news/austin-spurs-announce-2015-returning-players-and-training-camp-invitees/|website=NBA.com|date=October 30, 2015|access-date=October 30, 2015|archive-date=November 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109023821/http://austin.dleague.nba.com/news/austin-spurs-announce-2015-returning-players-and-training-camp-invitees/|url-status=dead}}

On November 13, Sykes made his professional debut in a 104–82 win over the Texas Legends, recording eight points, one rebound, six assists and three steals in 17 minutes off the bench.{{cite web|title=Cotton, Spurs Rout Legends as Satnam Singh Debuts|url=http://dleague.nba.com/games/20151113/TEXAUS/|website=NBA.com|date=November 13, 2015|access-date=January 31, 2016|archive-date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119200917/http://dleague.nba.com/games/20151113/TEXAUS/|url-status=dead}} In his rookie season with Austin, including the playoffs, Sykes averaged 13.1 points, 3.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.84 steals while shooting 45.9% from the field and 77.4% from the free throw line, and also recording a plus/minus of +196. Sykes elevated his play in the postseason, including a game in which he recorded 31 points and 6 steals in a 26-point comeback in a win-or-go-home game 3. Due to his success, he was invited to the 2016 NBA D-League Elite Camp.{{cite web|title=NBA D-League Announces Full Roster for elite mini camp|url=https://fansided.com/2016/05/03/nba-d-league-announces-full-roster-for-elite-mini-camp/|website=Fansided.com|date=May 3, 2016|access-date=November 27, 2021}}

=Anyang Korea Ginseng Corporation (2016–2017)=

In the summer of 2016, Sykes joined the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Summer League. On July 21, 2016, he was selected by Anyang KGC in the second round of the 2016 KBL draft.{{cite tweet|first=David|last=Pick|number=756452022598139905|title=Terrico White, Michael Efevberha, Keifer Sykes selected in KBL draft. Korea checks hit $250,000, but it's cutthroat.|user=IAmDPick|date=July 22, 2016|access-date=September 11, 2016}}

=Ankara DSİ (2017–2018)=

In the 2017–18 season, Sykes played for Ankara DSİ S.K. in the Turkish TBL, posting 22.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.

=Scandone Avellino (2018–2019)=

Sykes signed with Scandone Avellino of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A on August 7, 2018.{{cite web|title=Scandone Avellino signs Keifer Sykes|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/italy/serie-a/284901/scandone-avellino-signs-keifer-sykes.html|website=Sportando.basketball|access-date=August 7, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Sykes is featured in the 2018 documentary film Chi-Town, produced and directed by Nick Budabin. The film follows Sykes' path from high school to his brush with the NBA.

=Guangzhou Loong Lions (2019)=

On August 3, 2019, Sykes signed with the Guangzhou Loong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association.{{cite web|title=Long Lions agree terms with Keifer Sykes|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/China/news/590378/Long-Lions-agree-terms-with-Keifer-Sykes|website=Asia-Basket.com|date=August 3, 2019|access-date=August 3, 2019}}

=Olimpia Milano (2019–2020)=

File:Keifer Sykes (cropped).jpg in 2020]]

On December 27, 2019, Sykes signed with the Olimpia Milano until the end of the season.{{cite web|title=Olimpia welcomes Keifer Sykes|url=http://www.olimpiamilano.com/en/excited-to-come-here-and-improve-olimpia-welcomes-keifer-sykes/|website=OlimpiaMilano.com|date=December 27, 2019|access-date=December 27, 2019}}

=Türk Telekom (2020)=

On September 13, 2020, Sykes signed with Türk Telekom B.K. of the Basketball Super League.{{cite news|first=Nicola|last=Lupo|title=Turk Telekom Ankara officially signs Keifer Sykes|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/turk-telekom-ankara-officially-signs-keifer-sykes/|website=Sportando.basketball|date=September 13, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2020}}

=Panathinaikos (2020)=

On October 4, 2020, Sykes signed a 1-month contract with Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League.{{cite news|first=Nicola|last=Lupo|title=Panathinaikos announces 1-month deal with Keifer Sykes|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/panathinaikos-announces-1-month-deal-with-keifer-sykes/|website=Sportando.basketball|date=October 4, 2020|access-date=October 4, 2020}} The team later tried to sign Sykes to a contract for another month, but Sykes balked, wanting an agreement through the end of the year, and was let go by Panathinaikos at the end of October.{{cite web|first=Johnny|last=Askounis|title=Panathinaikos to part ways with Keifer Sykes|url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1121336/panathinaikos-to-release-keifer-sykes/|website=EuroHoops.net|date=October 30, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020}}

=South East Melbourne Phoenix (2020–2021)=

On December 8, 2020, Sykes signed a one-year contract with the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).{{cite web|title=Phoenix Complete Roster with Keifer Sykes|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/phoenix-complete-roster-with-keifer-sykes|website=NBL.com.au|date=December 8, 2020|access-date=December 8, 2020}}

=Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2021)=

On August 5, 2021, Sykes signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).{{cite web|title=Pacers Sign Washington Jr., Sykes, Taylor|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/pacers-sign-washington-jr-sykes-taylor|website=NBA.com|date=August 5, 2021|access-date=August 5, 2021}} He was waived at the end of training camp. Sykes subsequently joined the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and averaged 16.3 points, 8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.{{cite web|title=Keifer Sykes earns NBA Call-Up with the Indiana Pacers|url=https://fortwayne.gleague.nba.com/news/keifer-sykes-earns-nba-call-up-with-the-indiana-pacers/|website=NBA.com|date=December 27, 2021|access-date=December 27, 2021}}

=Indiana Pacers (2021–2022)=

On December 27, 2021, Sykes signed with the Indiana Pacers for the remainder of the season.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Roth|title=Sykes signs with Indiana Pacers|url=https://www.wbay.com/2021/12/27/sykes-join-indiana-pacers/|website=WBAY.com|date=December 27, 2021|access-date=December 27, 2021}} He was waived on April 7, 2022.{{cite web|title=Pacers Sign Terry Taylor And Duane Washington, Jr.|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/pacers-sign-taylor-washington-jr|website=NBA.com|date=April 7, 2022|access-date=April 7, 2022}}

=Motor City Cruise (2022–2023)=

On November 3, 2022, Sykes was named to the opening night roster for the Motor City Cruise.{{cite web|title=Motor City Cruise Roster 2022-23|url=https://detroit.gleague.nba.com/roster|website=NBA.com|date=November 3, 2022|access-date=November 3, 2022}}

=Long Island Nets (2023)=

On September 18, 2023, Sykes' rights were traded to the Long Island Nets{{cite web|title=Long Island Nets Acquire Returning Player Rights to Keifer Sykes|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/long-island-nets-acquire-returning-player-rights-to-keifer-sykes/n-6015229|website=OurSportsCentral.com|date=September 18, 2023|access-date=September 19, 2023}} and two days later, was signed by the Brooklyn Nets.{{cite tweet|first=Keith|last=Smith|title=The Brooklyn Nets announced they have signed guard/forward Jordan Hall and guard Keifer Sykes.|number=1704544324162085185|user=KeithSmithNBA|date=September 20, 2023|access-date=September 26, 2023}} However, they waived him on September 25{{cite tweet|first=Keith|last=Smith|title=The Brooklyn Nets announced they have waived Jordan Hall and Keifer Sykes. The Nets have signed Kyler Edwards.|number=1706366757449990303|user=KeithSmithNBA|date=September 25, 2023|access-date=September 26, 2023}} and on October 28, he joined Long Island.{{cite web|title=Patrick Gardner, Kennedy Chandler, two-ways top Long Island Nets training camp roster|url=https://www.netsdaily.com/2023/10/28/23936762/patrick-gardner-kennedy-chandler-two-ways-top-long-island-nets-training-camp-roster|website=NetsDaily.com|date=October 28, 2023|access-date=November 12, 2023}}

=Windy City Bulls (2023–2024)=

On December 15, 2023, Sykes was traded to the Windy City Bulls.{{cite web|title=Long Island Nets Complete Trade with Windy City Bulls|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/long-island-nets-complete-trade-with-windy-city-bulls/n-6040007|website=OurSportsCentral.com|date=December 15, 2023|access-date=December 15, 2023}}

=Openjobmetis Varese (2024–2025)=

On November 19, 2024, Sykes signed with Openjobmetis Varese of the Lega Basket Serie A.{{cite web|title=ALTRO RINFORZO PER VARESE: ECCO KEIFER SYKES|url=https://www.pallacanestrovarese.it/news/altro-rinforzo-varese-ecco-keifer-sykes|website=PallacanestroVarese.it|date=November 19, 2024|access-date=November 19, 2024|language=Italian}}

=Legia Warsaw (2025–present)=

On March 7, 2025, he signed with Legia Warsaw of the Polish Basketball League (PLK).{{Cite web|url=https://plk.pl/aktualnosci/25573/keifer-sykes-dolacza-do-legii|title=Keifer Sykes dołącza do Legii|last=|first=|date=March 7, 2025|website=plk.pl|publisher=|language=pl|access-date=March 7, 2025}}

Career statistics

=NBA=

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2021}}

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

| 32 || 11 || 17.7 || .363 || .300 || .882 || 1.4 || 1.9 || .4 || .1 || 5.6

|- class="sortbottom"

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

| 32 || 11 || 17.7 || .363 || .300 || .882 || 1.4 || 1.9 || .4 || .1 || 5.6

References

External links

[http://www.greenbayphoenix.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205266956 Green Bay Phoenix bio]
[https://keifersykes.com/ Official website]{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Australia

Category:American expatriate basketball people in China

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Greece

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Italy

Category:American expatriate basketball people in South Korea

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Turkey

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters players

Category:Austin Spurs players