Steve Taylor
March 18, 2022
Keifer Sykes
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 30/12/93
- Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois (USA)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 180
- Weight (KG): 80
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Green Bay (2011–2015)
- NBL DEBUT: 17/01/21
- AGE AT DEBUT: 27
- LAST NBL GAME: 15/06/21
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 27
- NBL History: South East Melbourne 2021
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Keifer Sykes was born in Chicago, Illinois (USA).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Keifer Sykes made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Phoenix at 27 years of age. He scored 18 points in his first game.
South East Melbourne looked to improve on their debut season, with coach Simon Mitchell providing franchise player Mitch Creek with some additional talent. Cam Gliddon and Reuben Te Rangi (both via Brisbane) were added to help spread the floor, providing more room for Creek to operate inside, and rookie Kiwi duo Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa and Mike Karena came on as development players.
Phoenix fans celebrated when Yanni Wetzell, who was on a number of NBA radars after a standout career at the University of San Diego State, only to see him exercise his European out clause and signed with German team Riesen Ludwigsburg. Imports Ben Moore and Keifer Sykes were then added to finalise the roster.
Due to COVID-19, the NBL was forced to postpone its season and start in January 2021, with the majority of players also asked to reduce their salaries due to the financial pressure caused by the pandemic. The impacts of Covid also created passport complications for Wetzell, who spun 180 and returned to play for the Phoenix after all.
Wetzell (11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) quickly established himself as one of the best young bigs in the competition, and together with Creek (18.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists), who led the team in scoring, and rebounds, provided a powerful one-two punch for the Phoenix.
South East Melbourne evolved into the highest-scoring team in the NBL, getting high-level production from Keifer Sykes (14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists), Kyle Adnam (12.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists), Cameron Gliddon (10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals) and Moore (10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists), who would all top score for the team in different games.
Mid-season, the Phoenix had the opportunity to add Australian Boomers forward Ryan Broekhoff to the roster, who had spent the season sitting on the sidelines, rehabbing a fractured leg and hoping to sign another NBA deal. Broekhoff (7.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.8 steals) played out the last 19 games for the Phoenix, signing as an injury replacement player for Dane Pineau, his arrival also pushing development player Mike Karena out of the rotation.
South East Melbourne (19-17) finished in fourth place and reached the NBL playoffs for the first time in their second NBL season. They would go on to face Melbourne (28-8) in a semifinal series, played in empty arenas in Sydney, with both team’s unable to play in Melbourne due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The team split the first two games of the series playing at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, with Creek (26 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists) leading the team in scoring in game two before returning home to play the decider at home. Leading United by as much as 15 points in the second quarter of the final game of the semi-final series (32-15), they gave away a turnaround of almost 30 points to finish 10-point losers (84-74). The Phoenix’s rebounding deficiencies (second last in the league for rebounds) were a major reason for the loss, combined with a season-high scoring effort from United’s big man Jock Landale (27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), who shot 11-13 from the floor and a perfect 3/3 from beyond, didn’t make things any easier.
Creek (19 points) and Reuben Te Rangi, who delivered a season high scoring night (22 points), were the key contributors for South East Melbourne in their final game of the season.
Injuries throughout the season saw Sykes miss 12 games. Had he remained uninjured for the whole season he would be right up in contention for a All-NBL First or Second Team mention. When he was healthy, the dynamic point guard showed off how much of a threat he can be to the NBL competition, and in the semifinals he averaged 17 points and just under three assists a game across the three game series.
Keifer Sykes did him dirty back in NBL21 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XOqD1mgXBb— NBL (@NBL) May 30, 2024
Keifer Sykes played one season in the NBL. He averaged 14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5 assists in 27 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 27 | South East Melbourne | 19-17 (4) | 27 | 730.5 | 390 | 85 | 137 | 18 | 67 | 18 | 2 | 59 | 61 | 148 | 356 | 42% | 50 | 137 | 36% | 44 | 51 | 86% | 51% | 49% | 29 | Totals | 27 | 731 | 390 | 85 | 137 | 18 | 67 | 18 | 2 | 59 | 61 | 148 | 356 | 41.6% | 50 | 137 | 36.5% | 44 | 51 | 86.3% | 52% | 49% | 29 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 27 | South East Melbourne | 19-17 (4) | 27 | 27.1 | 14.4 | 3.1 | 5.1 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 5.5 | 13.2 | 42% | 1.9 | 5.1 | 36% | 1.6 | 1.9 | 86% | 51% | 49% | 29 | Total | 27 | 27.1 | 14.4 | 3.1 | 5.1 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 5.5 | 13.2 | 41.6% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 36.5% | 1.9 | 5.1 | 86.3% | 52% | 49% | 29 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 29 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Sykes played 32 games in the NBA. He averaged 5.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- September 28, 2015: Signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
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October 21, 2015: Waived by the San Antonio Spurs.
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August 5, 2021: Signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers.
-
October 15, 2021: Waived by the Indiana Pacers.
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December 27, 2021: Signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers.
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April 7, 2022: Waived by the Indiana Pacers.
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September 14, 2022: Signed a contract with the Detroit Pistons.
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September 16, 2022: Waived by the Detroit Pistons.
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September 20, 2023: Signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Brooklyn Nets.
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September 25, 2023: Waived by the Brooklyn Nets.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 81% | 97% | 67% | 43% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 29 | 11 | 4 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 148 | 356 | 41.6% | 50 | 137 | 36.5% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 28 | Indiana | PG | 32 | 11 | 566 | 180 | 45 | 62 | 8 | 37 | 12 | 4 | 33 | 51 | 69 | 190 | 36% | 27 | 90 | 30% | 15 | 17 | 88% | 46% | 43% | Total | 32 | 11 | 566 | 180 | 45 | 62 | 8 | 37 | 12 | 4 | 33 | 51 | 69 | 190 | 36% | 27 | 90 | 30% | 15 | 17 | 88% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 28 | Indiana | PG | 32 | 11 | 17.7 | 5.6 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 5.9 | 36% | 0.8 | 2.8 | 30% | 0.5 | 0.5 | 88% | 46% | 43% | Total | 32 | 11 | 17.7 | 5.6 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 5.9 | 36% | 0.8 | 2.8 | 30% | 0.5 | 0.5 | 88% |
COLLEGE
Keifer Sykes played four NCAA seasons at Green Bay from 2011–12 through 2014–15, developing into the most accomplished player in Phoenix program history and one of the most decorated guards in Horizon League history.
Sykes appeared in 128 games and finished his college career as Green Bay’s all-time leading scorer with 2,052 points, while also ranking among the school’s career leaders in assists (526), steals (226), three-point field goals made (238), and free throws made (506).
As a freshman in the 2011–12 season, Sykes stepped immediately into a rotation role and averaged 7.1 points per game, flashing the speed and shot-making that would later define his career as Green Bay reached the Horizon League tournament semifinals.
He made a significant leap as a sophomore in 2012–13, averaging 14.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, and delivered one of the defining moments in school history when he hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat Oklahoma State in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament, giving Green Bay its first NCAA Tournament win since 1996.
Sykes’ junior season in 2013–14 marked his national breakout, as he averaged 20.3 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, led Green Bay to the Horizon League regular-season championship, and was named Horizon League Player of the Year while earning All-District and All-Mid-Major honours.
He followed that with an even stronger senior campaign in 2014–15, averaging 20.6 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, once again capturing Horizon League Player of the Year honours and becoming the first player in league history to win the award in consecutive seasons.
During the 2014–15 season, Sykes scored in double figures in 31 of 32 games and produced multiple 30-point performances, including a career-high 38 points against Milwaukee, while also setting Green Bay’s single-season scoring record.
Across his final two seasons, Sykes was a two-time First Team All-Horizon League selection, a two-time Horizon League Tournament MVP finalist, and a finalist for national mid-major awards, while leading Green Bay to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2013 and 2014.
He concluded his collegiate career as the most statistically accomplished player in Green Bay history, leaving the program as a two-time conference Player of the Year, an NCAA Tournament hero, and the standard-bearer for Phoenix guards in the modern era.
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