I trained with different guys. I dont know why they wouldnt allow this story to be continued in as much detail as possible. When Sykes joined the Phoenix, they were an expansion team in Year 2 of their development, and according to Mitchell, no one expected much from them or Sykes. Keifer Sykes was born on 30 December, 1993 in Chicago, Illinois, United States, is an American basketball player. [23], On December 27, 2019, Sykes signed with the Olimpia Milano until the end of the season. Keifer Sykes was a two-time Horizon League Player of the Year at Green Bay. [29] He was waived at the end of training camp. I want the kid around. Supported by his mother, Keifer Sykes finally saw his lifelong dream come to fruition last year. And I was just like, OK, Imma kill, because if you dont do your thing, youre out.. He also became nervous regarding his recruitment. "I was a freshman, already on the court, and trying to run a team, trying to learn, and learning how to be a dad and learn to be a college student," Sykes said. Sykes, a former point guard for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, sunk a pull-up three to give Boeheim's Army a 69-67 win over Team 23 in Tuesday's TBT championship. I told him, 'Boost me up to 99 right now, and put me against Steph Curry! He dapped the boy up and encouraged him to dream big, which is fitting for Sykes, a 28-year-old NBA rookie. A young man will ask his boy about his father. "Over time, shock turned into excitement," White said of his world changing as a 17-year-old. "Those of us that know his story, (it's) very compelling, and this is a culmination of a lot of work and a big dream.". I couldnt tell you that he was going to make a million-dollar shot or make it to the NBA, but from the time he was 13-years-old and getting ready to come to high school, I knew that boy was special., I asked #Suns star Devin Booker about his relationship with #Pacers rookie Keifer Sykes. A lot of people don't see the world until college. Sykes studied at Marshall High School, where he started playing basketball. Ithink the basket was moving. "I was on thetraining table. See, the basketball part, thats easy. I thought I was going to pass out, but I stayed strong. Keifer's always been a person purely at comfort around family and only his family. "I didn't expect much out of basketball," Sykes said. He does, however, remember the last time he saw his father, when James Sykes dropped him off at either a train or bus station to go back to Wisconsin Green-Bay to continue summer classes and workouts. She deserves this more than anybody. So I went into my roommates room, and I just woke him up and just said it to him and just got to breaking down crazy. Sykes, who went undrafted in 2015, signed a two-year contract with the Pacers last month after a strong season with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA G League. Branden had lost "significant weight" and was unable to consistently eat due to anxiety. This is my path, and thats just what it is. The sacrifices she made, man. [24], On September 13, 2020, Sykes signed with Trk Telekom B.K. Moreover, last year on her 5th birthday, Sykes took it to his Instagram @ksykeyb28. Every year he's gotten better at balancing and understanding that. [7] Sykes and 7ft 1in (2.16m) standout player Alec Brown led the Phoenix to a 245 regular season record and finished first in the Horizon League. The undersized guard scored a career- and team-high22 points Tuesday against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden and went toe-to-toe Wednesday with Nets superstar Kyrie Irving, who made his season debut in Indianapolis. For some, this is a touchy subject. Her name is Averyelle Dream. Sykes, wearing a black hat with "purpose." The former University of Wisconsin-Green Bay star . Suddenly he was holding ice chips and helping her breathe through the birth. He was on a trip for a basketball tournament, and that's when he called his mother at work. "We were a stage for him to perform on. He listens. So all I wanted to do is take care of her. I knew my mom couldn't afford college. 1 seed and took them to Game 5, which is like Game 7 over there, and lost on their floor," Sykes said. " Those are the things people have no idea what's going on behind closed doors with so many teams.". The contract became guaranteed. Life is too short. Think back to high school. I didn't learn that until Igotto college.". However, no valid sources have yet revealed his annual pay in numbers. "I didn't want to do it. "When she told me, I kind of freaked out. 'You don't know who this is?'". Crawford's son lives in Memphis. Pacers swingmen Torrey Craig, Justin Anderson enter NBA's COVID-19 protocols, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. Wardle answered his phone that afternoon to hear the mother of his talented newcomer crying on the other line. However, Wanamaker struggled in the 22 games he appeared in, averaging 3.5 points on 36.1% . My own trainers telling me, 'Prepare and train for overseas,' and I'm telling them, 'No.' KJ crowned around dinnertime on Aug. 3, 2010, at Mount Sinai Medical Center. First and always, Sykes prides himself on being an awesome dad. But that's what it takes to be a superhero for my family, a superhero in my community and a good basketball player. [16] Nine days later, he was acquired by the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of San Antonio. One thing Lisa Sykes made sure to add is, while her son shined the spotlight squarely on her, she didnt raise him alone. You could call this, The Keifer Effect, McKinnie said. But the most important thing said that night: "The child will be taken care of." "It's crazy, I told my son I'll never play 2K until I get on it, so that was kind of motivation for me. Sykes spent one season in South Korea, but he said that was just the beginning of the hardships he faced as he continued playing in Italy, Greece, Turkey and China. He madehis firstNBA startat Cleveland onJan. 2, scoring 10 points. It's free school, and I'm getting it, so let's go.". I cant do that. After competing in Australia, Sykes was recruited by former Syracuse star Eric Devendorf to play for the Oranges alumni team, Boeheim's Army, in The Basketball Tournament. She ran back downstairs to get my brother, and he said he was trying to perform CPR and when they called the police and the police got there, they tried but they couldn't bring him back to life.". Until now, Sykes has never told the story of how he became a father, what the birth was like, the angst he went through and how scared and shocked he was by the process. Its been a blessing. [3], 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. Keifer Sykes arrived on Wisconsin-Green Bay's campus as a 17-year old and made an immediate impact his freshman season, playing 29 minutes per night for the Phoenix. May 14 is the due date. Sykes is featured in the 2018 documentary film Chi-Town, produced and directed by Nick Budabin. I asked a tearful Keifer Sykes (@ksykesyb), whose contract was guaranteed by the #Pacers, how he thinks his mom, Lisa (@Supermom00767), will react when he talks to her.She deserve this more than anybody. The 21-year-old Bears power forward, a second cousin to the late Hank Gathers (who died 25 years to the day of this story's publishing), married his longtime girlfriend on June 10, 2013. We come from poverty. Probably no one better to hear it from (than) her because she always believed in me, her being a guard coach. It's a boy, and they're down to two names with two months to go. We both were really scared. Sykes said, laughing. Without an iota of resentment in his voice, the Michigan State star answers: three years. "As a coach, you would love to have all parents talk to him in a lot of ways. One of those players already had a child, and the other had one on the way. At Marshall, we were a basketball powerhouse, and it was a Chicago public school. written on it in white letters, didnt hesitate before handing the kid his phone and obliging. So long as his health is good, he'll have earned a pro contract by then. [8] In a 6966 loss to Wisconsin, Sykes scored 32 points, including a highlight dunk in the first possession of the game. The game-winner capped. James Sykes, a former vice president of the Broadway Armory Park association, is buried at Memorial Gardens in Homewood, Illinois. As apro-basketball player, Sykes weighs around 175 pounds and stands at theheightof 5 feet 11 inches. [17], On November 13, Sykes made his professional debut in a 10482 win over the Texas Legends, recording eight points, one rebound, six assists and three steals in 17 minutes off the bench. The player is now back at school, away from his child, but not on the team. Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell said their plan was always to help Sykes get closer to his dream. Mitchell become familiar with Sykes through his overseas play and thought he'd played out of position at shooting guard for most of his pro career. Sykes is from the South Side of Chicago, so he was originally supposed to attend Hyde Park Academy, Simeon or St. Rita, which have all produced pro players. More: After hitting $1 million shot, Keifer Sykes signed with Pacers to be closer to home, Its only one team that wins out of 64, so the chances are whatever, Sykes said. Most did. Sykes won the 2015 Horizon League player of the year to join the elite company of players to win the award twice. What he didn't know was that he wouldn't be a part of it. 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. How old is Keifer Sykes? August 5, 2020. After being cut, Sykes could've left Indianapolis for good and focused . NBA News. You scope college basketball, and the stories are everywhere. Just being able to see him now, its been crazy. Soon after his death, the family could not afford to immediately put him in a grave, and to this day James Sykes does not have a headstone because of the cost. At the end of the season, Sykes was named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer team. Sykes was still at Wisconsin Green-Bay when the shooting happened and came to visit Harrington shortly afterward. Im doing what I do as a mom and thats to provide for my children and back them in everything they do, Lisa Sykes said. KJ wasn't even 2 when his grandfather died. [2] 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. Sykes said having his contract guaranteed through the end of theseason is "the highlight of my professional career," and he's thrilled that his 6-year-old daughter, Kennedi, and11-year-old son, Keifer Jr., can finally say their daddy is officially in the NBA. You can go to college. Everything was going so fast.". INDIANAPOLIS Keifer Sykes knew the Pacers' season was ending. Keifer Sykes is 29 years old. Even when I got here, (Boucek) just following me on Instagram and Twitter, and telling me alwaysto continue to chip away at it.". He's got a goofy personality and caring heart but also boasts a paternal side that's as sanguine as it is dedicated. I do a lot of things for my foundation before I was even in the NBA. He also became the only player in Horizon League history to record those same career totals. Almost nothing about Sykes' life or current situation is normal (he impregnated his then-girlfriend, Allyne, when he was 15). Keifer Sykes was born in Chicago, Illinois. Because KJ wants to be a big boy really fast. Lisa Sykes was asking her son's coach to tell Keifer his father was gone because she couldn't bear to do it. We had guys on our team trying to feed their kids fast food. Follow IndyStar Pacers beat writer James Boyd on Twitter:@RomeovilleKid. Unlike Dawson and Sykes, he's married. In high school. "It was a surreal moment," Bell said of watching his son be born. Although Sykes has not brought details of his wife in light, he is a father to his son Hugo and daughter Zarah. He'll have his headstone then, and he'll have his son and grandson touching it. Our dedicated Editorial team verifies each of the articles published on the Biographyhost. The next day, Bloodman played 18 minutes against Kentucky. "(My mom) put it together after the fact," Sykes said. They have a hierarchy. Nine children from five mothers and two fathers. I see my daughter come out to the world.". Since leaving the university after his senior year, Sykes has played in the NBA G-League, over seas, back to the G-League, and finally was presented an opportunity seven years after his college. Sykes father, James, died of a heart attack June 6, 2012. At the time KJ was born Keifer was holding down a job with the Chicago Public Schools system, playing basketball and working rec centers with kids on the east side. Just to see him get that opportunity and be out here playing, Im so excited for him. pic.twitter.com/iZU0TTtaHa, James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 15, 2022. So this is gonna be my first time playing 2K.". Bloodman's long been saving for this. Once my brother left, I went to school by myself. Its really not about the NBA, Sykes says. The big thing with me is, I want Keifer to be a good father first. In high school, Sykes would ride alone on the green line to Marshall Metro High -- the team featured in the beloved basketball documentaryHoop Dreams-- where he played his way onto varsity and would become a McDonald's All-American honorable mention. "The team was always paying us late, and they didn't think we would make the playoffs, but we got in the last spot, played the No. "So she just told me congratulations. So, he packed his bags and headed overseas, not to the more popular foreign leagues in Europe or China, but to South Korea. Perfect place for an unforgettable night in a tiny, half-filled gym, Illinois-Chicago's UIC Pavilion. After waiting for months, Dawson found the courage while plopped on a bus headed to Milwaukee. It's a seven-hour drive round trip from Green Bay to Chicago. . She took care of everybody, man. "He's earned it really starting in the summer just with his approach, his work ethic, his level of improvement, which has been gradual and consistent. Keifer Sykes | | NBA.com Keifer Sykes PPG 5.6 RPG 1.4 APG 1.9 HEIGHT 5'11" (1.80m) WEIGHT 167lb (76kg) COUNTRY USA LAST ATTENDED Wisconsin-Green Bay BIRTHDATE December 30, 1993 DRAFT. The child's mother, Cecilia, and members of both parents' families crammed into a hospital room and glanced back and forth between watching a father on TV and keeping an eye on T.J. sleep with tubes and probes keeping him alive. Keifer Sykes: Waived by Indiana. On Dec. 7, 2013, Wisconsin Green-Bay hosted and upset Virginia behind a stellar performance from Sykes. "You can hear him in the stands. Her husband, James, Keifer Sykes father, was there every step of the way, encouraging him to chase his dream, reminding him that his influence will always be bigger than basketball and instilling values in his son that Keifer Sykes still carries with him nearly a decade after his dads death. [12] Sykes was one of eight invitees to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2015 Final Four, where he placed second. I went to basketball for free college. How tall is Keifer Sykes? Some of them terrifying, like the hell and stress Rhode Island's T.J. Buchanan has endured all season. She's long had a keen love for caring for the young, something as immediately evident in Keifer as his flaring athleticism. Despite those hurdles, there Sykes was, still standing years later and using his day off before his first major NBA road trip to inspire the next generation. Tell Keifer his father was gone because she could n't bear to do it in,... Dinnertime on Aug. 3, 2010, at Mount Sinai Medical Center on September 13, 2020, Sykes around... This, the Keifer Effect, McKinnie said, no valid sources yet! World until college. `` being able to see him now, and he 'll have a!, your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy happened and came to visit shortly! Purely at comfort around family and only his family until college. `` them terrifying, like hell! When she told me, I went to school by myself a to! 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