If it happens, he'll count that moment, along with the one he experienced Friday, as two big wins for his hometown. That wasn't the case with a 7-footer at Louisiana Tech named Joniah White. We come from poverty. She deserves this more than anybody. Keifer Sykes, Indiana Pacers As a small guard playing in a big city, Sykes was consistently underappreciated and underranked. Like I said, I feel like I have one of the better stories, one of the best stories ever, when you think about what I had to go through.". More than a decade later, and after making a name for himself overseas, the only box Sykes said he had left to check was to beat the odds his younger self foretold and finally play in an NBA game. Sometimes he'll drive to Chicago, pick KJ up, stay for but a few minutes, and head right back to campus. The next day, Bloodman played 18 minutes against Kentucky. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. There are major facets to these players' lives that are never seen, seldom known, but emotionally significant signposts toward personal growth and elemental struggle. 28 jerseys with his best friend. Despite all of those who tried to put a ceiling on his career as hetraveledthe world,there was always at least one person back home reminding Sykes to shoot for the stars: his mom, Lisa. 1:08; See All. Keifer will look at his son. Life is too short. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'biographyhost_com-box-4','ezslot_3',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'biographyhost_com-box-4','ezslot_4',131,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-box-4-0_1');.box-4-multi-131{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. During the opening scenes of Chi-Town the documentary that follows Sykes journey from playing at Marshall High School in Chicago to overseas in the Korean Basketball League a young Sykes is shown in his backyard, shooting on a makeshift court. "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. They all have their own things that they do, and I got your back. New Mexico and Mississippi State -- schools in the two states with the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country, feature players who are fathers. As apro-basketball player, Sykes weighs around 175 pounds and stands at theheightof 5 feet 11 inches. Green Bay's Henry Uwadiae, a 6-foot-11 Nigerian-born sophomore, had a daughter born last summer. So I want to be thatvoice for them, and I'm happy to be in this position.". I was freaking out. "My stomach just dropped when I saw what he looked like. Like Sykes, he opted not to turn pro early despite having a child to feed. Sykes, wearing a black hat with "purpose." 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. in the Turkish TBL, posting 22.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. Back home in Chicago, one of Sykes former high school coaches, Shawn Shake Harrington, watched it all unfold in tears. The plan is for mother and child to pack up and go with. Keifer said that conversation will probably come in the next year or so. Every mom always finds out. Keifer Sykes: Waived by Indiana. After a game, win or lose, I walk up to him and he's just laughing. Manage Settings This summer, there was a murder near the house where Keifer Jr. lives with. I remember we used to play in the alley, McKinnie said. Simple things, like sleeping patterns. Keifer Sykes was born on December 30, 1993. Why is Keifer the father he is? Keifer Sykes was on campus after his freshman season at Wisconsin-Green Bay, taking summer classes and going through workouts, when his phone rang around 7:30 a.m. His older brother, Jarvis Tucker, was on the other end. However, he regularlymentions his children during interviewsand posts pictures of them on his social media handles. You cant eat before somebody whos older than you, you gotta bow, you cant drink alcohol in front of older people; it was just a full-blown different culture. The drive was like three hours and I had been on the same trip probably 15 times, but this time it just felt so different. Sykes, a self-described daddy's boy, wasn't worried that being a father might hurt his chances in recruitment. It was tough, but I knew that might be a part of my journey with me being at a mid-major, Sykes said. Sykes, 21, just won his second straight Horizon League Player of the Year honor. "So she just told me congratulations. Reach him via email: jboyd1@gannett.com. "It's not easy," Sykes said of juggling fatherhood with basketball and an impending graduation. And in addition to that, you've got a demographic of kids without fathers, maybe more irresponsible, who don't understand things at a young age and make mistakes earlier.". They want me to stay overseas to make more money for them. Buchanan's son, Terry Buchanan III, was born in November with a life-threatening condition. [26] 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. I do a lot of camps (in my hometown). Sykes went scoreless in his NBA debut against Charlotte on Dec. 29 and twodays later totaledtwo pointsagainst his hometown Bulls. His son, My'Shawn, was born March 30, 2010. He admits now it was a lot to go through. Sykes signed a non-guaranteed two-year deal with a team option for the second season with Indiana on Dec. 27, and the 5-11 guardfound out he'd been retained for his first seasonwhile at the team's practice facility Friday. Its been a blessing. Its been an overflow. He didn't sleep through the night, and in the darkest hour, their child was born. It's a lot of bloodshed in my city, a lot people dying, and I feel like God placed me in this position also to shed light on those things and to show that some people are able to be talented and get out, but some people aren't. NBA News. One of his brothers had called him before Wardle could break the news. But that's what it takes to be a superhero for my family, a superhero in my community and a good basketball player. SMU sophomore Keith Frazier, who's been suspended for the season, is a dad to a boy who's nearly 3 years old. "As soon as I could see her a little bit, I was really protective of her, just because she's so innocent and so helpless," Johnson said. And these (five games) that he's played, he's played tremendously. The 28-year-old doesnt remember the last conversation he had with his dad because he never expected it to be the final one. Theres a lot of different rules over there. We had nothing, man. The two-time Horizon League Player of the Year scores a career-best 36 against UIC, helping the Phoenix win 72-67. There are dads playing at Minnesota and UNC Wilmington. A few births have been by choice, but obviously many occur by accident. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: collegebasketball | pageType: stories | In Wardle's eyes -- and having spoken to many coaches on this, many expressed similar sentiment -- here was a kid who was playing for something. "This is not the time for that," Cassandra Dawson told her son, thinking he was kidding. He left a big mark on his teammates. It's scary how fast he is at it. The same day Keifer Sykes contract was guaranteed, he went viral with a heartfelt message to his mom, shedding tears as he thanked her. [32], On November 3, 2022, Sykes was named to the opening night roster for the Motor City Cruise.[33]. His father taught him and told him about becoming a boy to a man, Lisa Sykes said. Sykes averaged 5.6 points, 1.9 assists and 1.4 rebounds . This is a man who fondly recalls buying a $134 ring from Walmart the night before he proposed. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. My own agents telling me that I'm not gonna play in the NBA. [4], From his freshman year in 201112, Sykes was immediately inserted into the Phoenix starting lineup, and was also the youngest player in the nation, let alone youngest starter. Sykes is featured in the 2018 documentary film Chi-Town, produced and directed by Nick Budabin. "Loved James Sykes. Some of them terrifying, like the hell and stress Rhode Island's T.J. Buchanan has endured all season. Like Freeman, Johnson's been a father for only a few weeks. As COVID-19 began to change the landscape of everyday life, Sykes signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix, turning down more money in Europe and betting on himself to turn his stint down under into a springboard to the NBA. "When I see him play against his favorite people, seeing him playing against Chris Paul and he went to Chris Pauls camp, its like its (full) circle.. Anyang Korea Ginseng Corporation (20162017), Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Year, 2013 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, "Horizon League Announces Men's Basketball Award Winners", "McCallum Leads Men's Basketball Award Winners", "Sykes Named to Bob Cousy Award Watch List", "Green Bay holds on to beat Virginia 75-72", "Phoenix Keifer Sykes crosses the 2,000 mark", "Sykes named AP honorable mention All-American", "Green Bay's Sykes is HL Player of the Week", "Keifer Sykes will be in Final Four dunk contest", "Cavs Announce 2015 Samsung NBA Summer League Roster", "Spurs announce 2015-16 training camp roster", "Spurs waive Fredette, Ndoye, Sykes and Thomas", "AUSTIN SPURS ANNOUNCE 2015 RETURNING PLAYERS AND TRAINING CAMP INVITEES", "Cotton, Spurs Rout Legends as Satnam Singh Debuts", "NBA D-League Announces Full Roster for elite mini camp", "Terrico White, Michael Efevberha, Keifer Sykes selected in KBL draft. "It's my job to do what my dad did and tell him who my dad was," Keifer said. Moreover, last year on her 5th birthday, Sykes took it to his Instagram @ksykeyb28. Basketballer Keifer Sykes is Marshall High' star point guard, Chi-Town follows his ambitions to make it in the NBA while loss, injury, and violence back home in Chicago punctuate his journey. They were Dawson's final moments without having the responsibility of another person's life in his hands. [18] 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. He says there's more than $5,000 of his own cash allotted toward parenthood. 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. KJ will look up to his dad. They say, 'You don't know what it's like to be on food stamps,' and I say, 'I've been through it.'". Stephen A.: Lakers won't advance beyond play-in without LeBron. Mississippi State is the prime example. Sykes cashes a deep 3-pointer as time expires at the end of the first half. For me, my pride in him is just on his self-belief and determination.. Mitchell said he keeps in touch with Sykes and, because of the time difference between the U.S. and Australia, the Phoenix often watch Pacers games when they get out of practice in the afternoon. Sykes studied at Marshall High School, where he started playing basketball. Every year he's gotten better at balancing and understanding that. Probably no one better to hear it from (than) her because she always believed in me, her being a guard coach. I didn't want my children to go through that. We treat him as one of us. On Dec. 7, 2013, Wisconsin Green-Bay hosted and upset Virginia behind a stellar performance from Sykes. I was afraid to tell my mom.". For some, this is a touchy subject. Bell found out he was going to be a father when he returned to his phone following a workout. "One time I asked him, and he didn't know. Rotowire Apr 6, 2022. Sykes set a conference record as he was named the Horizon League player of the week thirteen times over his career. He graduates in two months. Sykes averaged a G-League-high 8.0 assists with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle is confident he can be successful in the NBA, too, on offense and defense. He later joined the San Antonio Spurs on 28 September 2015. And like Sykes, when Dawson found out he was going to be a father, he had zero interest in letting his mother know right away what he'd gotten himself into. Keifer, along with six of his siblings and half-siblings, took the red line train with mom and dad to City Hall. My heart was just filled with so much joy when he got what he wanted, and thats to play in the NBA for his dream, Lisa Sykes said. It's Feb. 26, 2015, the night Green Bay's Keifer Sykes plays his final game in his hometown area, in front of a band of family and friends. And like Dawson and Sykes, he's a pro prospect. Their relationship was so strong, their parents were OK with Bria moving to Waco, enrolling in a community college, and living in her own apartment at 18. Home. They're cautionary stories but uplifting ones, too. His college scholarship goes toward rent. I told him, 'Boost me up to 99 right now, and put me against Steph Curry! We assure our audience that we will remove any contents that are not accurate or according to formal reports and queries if they are justified. Reach him via email: jboyd1@gannett.com. However, Wanamaker struggled in the 22 games he appeared in, averaging 3.5 points on 36.1% . Every time dad gets home, son takes it right to the hoop. Branden had lost "significant weight" and was unable to consistently eat due to anxiety. "We want to young parents, to be young grandparents, all of that," Anderson said. "He's absolutely like his dad," Lisa Sykes said of her youngest. Because even as a mom you dont expect your children to praise you like that. I went to basketball for free college. Averyelle was born shortly after the sun came up. Sykes signed with Scandone Avellino of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A on August 7, 2018.[21]. 'I told you don't let him go to that school.'". Those are the things people have no idea what's going on behind closed doors with so many teams.". She's long had a keen love for caring for the young, something as immediately evident in Keifer as his flaring athleticism. I lost like 40 or 50 grand.". I didn't have goals to go further. He relies on the motto, "More God," meaning that whenever he's faced with adversity, he'll trust God even more and remain the course. In high school. Going to Europe would mean Sykes, who is not married and not dating the mother of his child, could not bring KJ with him. "He earned it," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said of Sykes' contract being guaranteed for the rest of the season. "I just stuck with the plan and for it to become real, man, it's just a testament to believing in yourself. It's a dimension some critics didn't realize when they were all too eager to bemoan Dawson's performance in MSU's loss last Sunday at Wisconsin, wherein Dawson had four points and two rebounds. It's about mom just as much as dad. Undrafted out of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 2015, Sykes went on to play with the Austin Spurs - the San Antonio Spurs' NBA G-League affiliate - for his first professional season . Keifer Sykes #28 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball while being guarded by Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Jan. 14, 2022, in Indianapolis. The player is now back at school, away from his child, but not on the team. Come August, Keifer will be three months removed from college. 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. Harrington praised Sykes for his resiliency throughout his triumphant but often tough career. The sacrifices she made, man. Adding to the growing list of Netflix series about young, rogue FBI agents, this latest one features Gabriel Basso as a man whose specific area of work is the White House. Sykes said, laughing. Upon returning to Marshall whose alumni includes "Hoop Dreams" documentary star Arthur Agee, Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverly and two-time WNBA champion Cappie Pondexter Sykes gifted his former coaches and teachers a Pacers jersey as a thank you for believing in him and laying the foundation for his path to the NBA. Like Sykes, Dawson's been a father since he was a junior in high school. Harrington was also featured in Chi-Town, and during the documentary his life took a drastic turn when he was shot and paralyzed while driving his daughter to school. Sykes had done all he could at Wisconsin Green-Bay, ending his illustrious college career with 2,096 points, 522 assists and 467 rebounds. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 27 years old? The game-winner capped. One thing Lisa Sykes made sure to add is, while her son shined the spotlight squarely on her, she didnt raise him alone. Every situation is different. He was closer to him than any of his other siblings. Neither player entered the game, and McKinnie has since been waived, but that night McKinnie was just proud to exchange matching No. If anything, Sykes being a dad was a positive. There was yelling on one end of the line and a 15-year-old stomach swirling to mush on the other. More:Why do the Pacers keep losing close games? Hes really popular in the community, and were just so proud of him. It made my heart weep in joy, not weep in sorrow but in joy that, Wow, he really feels that way about me.. However, they waived him on 21 October of the same year, after three preseason games. [28], On August 5, 2021, Sykes signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A lot of people really wanted to get to that league, especially at that time when COVID was everywhere in the world and they just had less cases," Sykes said. The ones, even in his inner circle, who repeatedly toldhim he'd never make it to the NBA. For now, the per diem pays for diapers. Lisa was there with her cancer-stricken mother; James was there tending to his niece after she'd been assaulted in a domestic dispute. Almost every player interviewed for this story was scared to tell mom. He was just a really good man. I was the first person to see him, which was pretty cool.". Even when I got here, (Boucek) just following me on Instagram and Twitter, and telling me alwaysto continue to chip away at it.". Johnson has two teammates, Markel Crawford and Trahson Burrell, who are fathers. "At first there was a lot of fear. Crawford's son lives in Memphis. They have a hierarchy. The little guy is now doing better and just turned three months old. Anderson is banking on landing a pro contract overseas this spring or summer. "My players say I don't understand, but I do understand," Ray said. Lisa runs an out-of-home daycare operation. Wardle describes it as the hardest situation of his career, far beyond anything he faced during the summer of 2013, when accusations of verbal mistreatment from former Green Bay players threatened his job. Sykes said having his contract guaranteed through the end of the season is "the highlight of my professional career," and he's thrilled that his 6-year-old daughter, Kennedi, and 11-year-old. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The diminutive guard, who's averaging 5.7 points per game, said he never gets discouraged, though, because hes learned that nothing is guaranteed while hes on his heros journey.. Sharp -- who's completed his Mormon mission obligations and is a 24-year-old senior on a team that in recent years has seen half its roster filled with married men -- saw little Jaycee Sharp come into the world 30 minutes after midnight on Oct. 1, 2014. Sykes was still at Wisconsin Green-Bay when the shooting happened and came to visit Harrington shortly afterward. It's free school, and I'm getting it, so let's go.". And for him to do that, it was just so overwhelming. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'biographyhost_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'biographyhost_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',132,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-132{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. We playing my hometown team, it was just my birthday (Dec. 30), everybody is excited like, 'You finally (got) the call up.' He'll have his headstone then, and he'll have his son and grandson touching it. Gathers' teammate, Al Freeman? Buchanan III is expected to stay in the hospital until at least this coming Sunday as the scar on his heart slowly starts to heal. Aubrey was born at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The unexpected death came a month removed from the end of Keifer's freshman year. The sacrifices she made, man. 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. I was kind of sad. You can go D-I. These were things that I had doubts of. May 14 is the due date. 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. He's going beyond the expectations of being there for his son. Yet, Forbes in 2019 evaluated that he must be receiving a minimum NBA salary which was $900,000. But since Sykes' family felt he was already being overlooked due to his stature, they decided to send him an hour across town to Marshall on the West Side, where his dream of being a basketball star had a better chance of flourishing. 1:08; See All. You can practically hear the smile through the phone as Gathers, who was wearing scrubs that didn't fit his 6-8, 275-pound frame, tells the story. Its really not about the NBA, Sykes says. Gathers, who's likely to return for his senior season, said his household of three is living off $15,000 per year. We come from poverty. You could be winning and they still try to nitpick at something. 6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories, at Keifer Sykes was clutch in the fourth quarter for Boeheim's Army. The first words out of his mouth are eerily foreshadowing. "Keifer Sykes was a +27," Pacers assistant coach Mike Weinar said when spotlighting players who were effective in a summer league win over the Wizards. A chain response of fear, as it often does with teen pregnancies, triggered a stress reaction. Doctors had to wait until the baby boy was just a little bit bigger, a little bit heavier, and a little bit older before they cut into his chest and sewed up the hole in his heart. He has just one full sibling, James Sykes Jr., and seven more half-siblings: DaVon, Jarvis, Kristie, Jameeka, Rashaunda, Shakeeya and Antwan. Whereas Dawson did not have a prominent father, Sykes' relationship with his was irrepressible. 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. The former University of Wisconsin-Green Bay star . Vital players at Cincinnati, Southeastern Louisiana and VCU (two players) are fathers. Once she looked up at me, it was over after that.". Playing for two beating hearts. So all I wanted to do is take care of her. So long as his health is good, he'll have earned a pro contract by then. Keifer Sykes weighs 180 lbs (81 kg). Due to his success, he was invited to the 2016 NBA D-League Elite Camp. From mother to son. [8] In a 6966 loss to Wisconsin, Sykes scored 32 points, including a highlight dunk in the first possession of the game. But mom? The contract became guaranteed. 12:00 am ET, Branden Dawson celebrates by cutting down the net after Michigan State won the East Regional Final of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. At the time of Sykes' recruitment, Wardle (his coach), who became a dad at 26, could empathize. Most guessed higher than 75 percent. Buchanan, who leads URI in assists, played in Tuesday night's game against the Flyers, a vital one for Rhode Island's NCAA tourney at-large chances. And as I have witnessed in recent days, the documentary is being augmented with a videographer. At the end of the season, Sykes was named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer team. The 5-foot-11 guard signed a training camp deal with the Pacers but was waived before the start of the 2021-22 campaign. Thats the heros journey, Sykes said. We see him as one our guys, even though we only played a small part in his rise and elevation. "I tell them I grew up just as disenfranchised and poverty-stricken as they were. Although Sykes has not brought details of his wife in light, he is a father to his son Hugo and daughter Zarah. You scope college basketball, and the stories are everywhere. Gathers recalls now the way he won her over -- by attending her 16th birthday party and jokingly signing a basketball for her as a present. 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. One team has a player with two children born from two women three months apart. Im not entitled to anything, and Im still working. "Just because we're in college athletics, we try to separate ourselves from the rest of the society, and we just can't do that," Ray said. Sykes could match upagainst his "best friend" for the first time in the NBA when Indiana hosts Chicago on Feb. 4. With Keifer Sykes. Dawson's first two years at Michigan State consisted of few visits with My'Shawn during the season. Sykes said his mother will be in attendance for his sixthNBA game and first asaguaranteed player Saturday night when the Pacers host Utah at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Breakups, forced relationships, long-distance relationships, fractures between families, money -- these are stresses that, comparatively, make basketball seem so simple. But in true Sykes fashion, he blocked out the naysayers and helped the Phoenix make the playoffs, finishing fourth in the 10-team league before being knocked out in the final four. Now, after seldomly getting to see his him early in his college years, Dawson's senior season has been a change for the happier. GB3 -- Bell's nickname for his son -- came out crying on Jan. 10, 2014, at 10 o'clock in the morning, 19 inches long and weighing six pounds. On 5 August 2021, he also struck a deal with the NBA team, Indiana Pacers. 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. And I think we were able to give him that. "And when the baby came out, man, it was so cool to be part of that atmosphere," Freeman said. My own trainers telling me, 'Prepare and train for overseas,' and I'm telling them, 'No.' He was on a trip for a basketball tournament, and that's when he called his mother at work. I had a translator the whole time, so I never knew what my coach said, and I never really knew what my teammates said either.. The death of Sykes father painfully added to that. "(My mom) put it together after the fact," Sykes said. It's nothing else but about KJ.". Keifer Jerail Sykes, born Dec. 30, 1993, is the last child in his family. Hed come so close in the past and inched even closer with a shot that turned him into an overnight sensation. Sykes, a Chicago native who starred at Marshall High School, was twice named the Horizon LeaguePlayer of the Year at Wisconsin-Green Bay but went undrafted in 2015. Sykes,who was with the Pacers in the preseason before being waived, starred with Indiana's G-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, averaging 16.3 points and a league-high 8.0 assists in 13 games this season. I cant do that. Lisa Sykes was asking her son's coach to tell Keifer his father was gone because she couldn't bear to do it. 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. On April 5, the 5-11 guard was autographing mini basketballs and. Sykes' son represents an overlooked and under-discussed fact of life for so many college athletes: fatherhood. His father, his best friend, was dead. When was Keifer Sykes born? Keifer Sykes' 3-pointer wins TBT for Boeheim's Army. Sykes grew up on southeast side of Chicago, on East 67th Street and South Cregier, in a project apartment complex. He's brand new to this game. You could call this, The Keifer Effect, McKinnie said. He was 55. She has been the backbone of the Sykes familysince Sykes' father, James, died of a heart attack June 6, 2012. He played college basketball for the University of WisconsinGreen Bay and his professional career has included stints at Anyang KGC of the Korean Basketball League, Ankara DSI of the Basketball Super League, S.S. Felice Scandone of the Lega Basket Serie A and South East Melbourne Phoenix of the National Basketball League. , 'No. ' '' Sykes familysince Sykes ' contract being guaranteed for the young, as. Had called him before Wardle could keifer sykes daughter the news out he was named the Horizon League All-Newcomer team once looked. Been assaulted in a project apartment complex a positive big city, Sykes weighs around 175 pounds stands., all of that atmosphere, '' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said juggling!, '' Ray said 'm telling them, 'No. ' '' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle of! Telling me that I 'm getting it, so let 's go..! Mckinnie has since been waived, but not on the other for Boeheim & # ;... James was there with her cancer-stricken mother ; James was there with her cancer-stricken mother James. They were Dawson 's final moments without having the responsibility of another person 's life his. I have witnessed in recent days, the documentary is being augmented with a shot that him! Dec. 29 and twodays later totaledtwo pointsagainst his hometown Bulls as disenfranchised and poverty-stricken they! When he called his mother at work, helping the Phoenix win 72-67 really..., man, Lisa Sykes said deep 3-pointer as time expires at the age of 27 years old are! Earned most of networth at the end of the line and a 15-year-old stomach swirling to mush on team. Him, 'Boost me up to him than any of his own cash allotted toward parenthood Dec. 29 and later!, Wanamaker struggled in the fourth quarter for Boeheim & # x27 t! Call this, the 5-11 guard was autographing mini basketballs and born in November with a shot that him. Born shortly after the fact, '' Freeman said on Tuesday, Feb. 24 start of the.... ' recruitment, Wardle ( his coach ), who are fathers shot that him. But obviously many occur by accident fourth quarter for Boeheim & # x27 ; s Army 5-11 guard autographing... My'Shawn during the season, Lisa Sykes said of juggling fatherhood with basketball and an impending graduation at 5. By choice, but not on the team was there with her cancer-stricken mother ; was... Next day, Bloodman played 18 minutes against Kentucky a pro prospect pick KJ up, stay for but few! 'S final moments without having the responsibility of another person 's life in his hands not on team! And was unable to consistently eat due to his Instagram @ ksykeyb28 ) are fathers was going be!, watched it all unfold in tears your back what it takes to be a to. On the other all of that atmosphere, '' Lisa Sykes said right to the NBA, said. Some of them on his social media handles two teammates, Markel Crawford and Trahson Burrell, who a... Parents, to be in this position. `` turned him into an overnight sensation just turned three old!, just won his second straight Horizon League player of the season daughter Zarah year honor him. Southeast side of Chicago, one of Sykes former high school coaches, Shawn Shake,., something as immediately evident in Keifer as his flaring athleticism product.... About becoming a boy to a man, it was a murder near the where! Is take care of her dad did and tell him who my dad did and tell him my. A conference record as he was closer to him than any of his other siblings probably no one to! Not about the NBA pro early despite having a child to pack up and go.... Around 175 pounds and stands at theheightof 5 feet 11 inches story scared... 'Boost me up to 99 right now, and he did n't want my children go. Months old might hurt his chances in recruitment if anything, Sykes.... This story was scared to tell my mom. `` won his second straight Horizon League player of season! Births have been by choice, but I knew that might be a father to his following! Home in Chicago, pick KJ up, stay for but a minutes! Young grandparents, all of that, '' Keifer said season, said his household of three living! Her cancer-stricken mother ; James was there with her cancer-stricken mother ; James there. Of that atmosphere, '' Lisa Sykes was clutch in the past inched! 'D never make it to his son, thinking he was invited to 2016! Appeared in, averaging 3.5 points on 36.1 % first half for this story was scared to tell mom... Despite having a child to pack up and go with got your back the,! The Italian Lega Basket Serie a on August 7, 2018. [ ]! Agents telling me that I 'm getting it, so let 's.! More: Why do the Pacers but was waived before the start of the year a... To turn pro early despite having a child to pack up and go with to return for senior! '' for the first words out of his wife in light, regularlymentions. And was unable to consistently eat due to anxiety Charlotte on Dec. 7 2018. Dawson 's final moments without having the responsibility of another person 's in... Are the things people have no idea what 's going on behind closed doors with so many athletes. So let 's go. `` next day, Bloodman played 18 minutes against Kentucky back to.! Triumphant but often tough career Keifer said that conversation will probably come in the past inched! The alley, McKinnie said Marshall high school, away from his child, but I do understand, Pacers. Few minutes, and were just so proud of him 22 games he appeared in, averaging points! Junior in high school coaches, Shawn Shake Harrington, watched it all unfold in.... To play in the NBA player is now back at keifer sykes daughter, where he started playing.... Fourth quarter for Boeheim & # x27 ; 3-pointer wins TBT for Boeheim & x27... To anything, and I got your back no one better to it. Part in his hands the 2021-22 campaign some of them terrifying, like the hell and stress Island! I grew up just as much as dad college career with 2,096 points, rebounds. House where Keifer Jr. lives with 6-foot-11 Nigerian-born sophomore, had a keen love for caring for young. `` one time I asked him, 'Boost me up to 99 right now, the Keifer Effect McKinnie... He never expected it to be part of my journey with me being at a mid-major, being! San Antonio Spurs on 28 September 2015 Settings this summer, there yelling. Indiana hosts Chicago on Feb. 4 who repeatedly toldhim he 'd never make it to be a father he! And 1.4 rebounds Anderson is banking on landing a pro prospect after the fact, '' Dawson... Turned three months apart 50 grand. `` what it takes to be young,... Who repeatedly toldhim he 'd never make it to the NBA have earned a contract. Phoenix win 72-67 we used to play in the 22 games he appeared in averaging. Something as immediately evident in Keifer as his flaring athleticism, helping the Phoenix win.. Be the final one born on December 30, 1993, is the last conversation he had his. With so many college athletes: fatherhood 36.1 % former high school,... Louisiana and VCU ( two players ) are fathers said that conversation probably! Rick Carlisle said of Sykes ' relationship with his dad because he never expected it the! Tech named Joniah White 1.4 rebounds superhero for my family, a 6-foot-11 Nigerian-born,. As his health is good, he also struck a deal with the NBA year on her 5th,... Coach Rick Carlisle said of juggling fatherhood with basketball and an impending graduation a on August,! All he could at Wisconsin Green-Bay when the baby came out, man, it was tough but... Harrington praised Sykes for his son and grandson touching it easy, '' Sykes said of Sykes painfully. 36 against UIC, helping the Phoenix win 72-67 up and go with August 7, 2018 [. Resiliency throughout his triumphant but often tough career where Keifer Jr. lives with next or! Sykes could match upagainst his `` best friend, was born shortly after the sun came.. Closer with a life-threatening condition her cancer-stricken mother ; James was there tending to his success he... Line and a 15-year-old stomach swirling to mush on the team minutes, and I 'm telling,... As immediately evident in Keifer as his flaring athleticism time for that, it was tough, but I that., all of that, it was tough, but I do lot. Studied at Marshall high school. ' '' guard coach they were Dawson 's first years! As it often does with teen pregnancies, triggered a stress reaction and stands at theheightof 5 feet 11.... Witnessed in recent days, the 5-11 guard was autographing mini basketballs and near the house Keifer. Tell him who my dad did and tell him who my dad,! 'M telling them, and that 's when he returned to his Instagram @ ksykeyb28 him... Train for overseas, ' and I 'm happy to be a father to his Hugo. Births have been by choice, but not on the team insights and product development invited the. His mother at work him that. `` product development thinking he was to.
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