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:
- 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.
After finishing second last with a 9-19 record during their inaugural season, South East Melbourne looked to add more talent around returning core Mitch Creek, Kyle Adnam, Adam Gibson, Dane Pineau and Kendall Stephens. John Roberson (to Spain), Keith Benson (to Lithuania) and Daniel Trist (to New Zealand) departed, while Tai Wesley and Ben Madgen also did not return. Head coach Simon Mitchell added Cam Gliddon and Reuben Te Rangi (both via Brisbane), imports Ben Moore and Keifer Sykes, Yanni Wetzell and development players Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’Afa and Tristan Forsyth. Wetzell initially exercised his European out clause to join Riesen Ludwigsburg before passport complications resulted in him returning to South East Melbourne, while Mike Karena was signed shortly before the season as an injury replacement for Pineau. COVID-19 delayed the start of the NBL season until January 2021, with players also asked to accept salary reductions due to the financial pressure caused by the pandemic.
Sykes signed a one-year deal as South East Melbourne’s second import after most recently playing with EuroLeague club Panathinaikos, with Mitchell viewing him as the team’s starting point guard and a player capable of impacting both ends of the floor. “I came over here to be a point guard, to lead, and to win,” said Sykes.
South East Melbourne opened its season against Adelaide at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 17, where Sykes (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists) played more than 40 minutes in his NBL debut as the Phoenix lost 116-108 in double overtime. Creek (30 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Wetzell (24 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne’s scoring, while Daniel Johnson (33 points and 4 rebounds) was Adelaide’s leading scorer.
Sykes (14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 27 games) quickly established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous point guards, combining his scoring and playmaking with strong defence. Injuries ultimately caused him to miss 12 games, and had he remained healthy for the entire season he would have been in contention for an All-NBL First or Second Team selection.
One of his biggest early moments came against Perth on January 29, where Sykes (19 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals) scored with four seconds remaining to give South East Melbourne a 90-89 victory at RAC Arena, the first win over Perth in franchise history. Creek (24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Wetzell (14 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Bryce Cotton (32 points and 6 assists) led the Wildcats.
Sykes produced the first NBL triple-double since LaMelo Ball against Brisbane on February 21, finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal as South East Melbourne recovered from a slow start to win 99-83 at John Cain Arena. Creek (29 points and 9 rebounds) and Gliddon (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) provided support, while Matthew Hodgson (20 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.
Two nights later against Adelaide, Sykes (9 points and 3 assists) landed awkwardly and rolled his ankle during the final quarter, failing to return as the 36ers defeated the Phoenix 99-94. Creek (23 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Gliddon (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) led South East Melbourne, while Johnson (27 points and 11 rebounds) starred for Adelaide. The ankle injury caused Sykes to miss seven consecutive games from February 28 through March 20.
Sykes returned against Melbourne on March 27, scoring 4 points in 9:19 minutes after a month on the sidelines, but pulled up sore with a foot complaint and was held out of the following two games against Illawarra and New Zealand. He returned again on April 9 and played four straight games before a lower-back injury caused him to miss another three games from April 22 through April 29. Sykes made his final return from injury against Melbourne on May 8, finishing with 8 points and 5 assists.
His best scoring game came against New Zealand at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on June 5, where Sykes (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) scored 21 points in the first half as South East Melbourne defeated the Breakers 83-78 and all but secured its first finals appearance. Moore (11 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) and Te Rangi (10 points and 4 rebounds) provided support, while Tai Webster (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led New Zealand.
Mid-season, South East Melbourne added Australian Boomers forward Ryan Broekhoff (7 points and 3.8 rebounds across 19 games), who had spent much of the previous year rehabbing a fractured leg and hoping to return to the NBA. With Pineau still unavailable, Broekhoff joined as a nominated replacement player and took the place of Karena (1.2 points across 15 games) in the active rotation.
South East Melbourne developed into the highest-scoring team in the NBL, led by Creek (18.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 37 games), with Adnam (12 points and 3.6 assists across 39 games), Wetzell (11.2 points and 6 rebounds across 39 games), Gliddon (10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 35 games), Moore (10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds across 39 games), Te Rangi (6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds across 39 games) and Le’Afa (6.1 points across 32 games) providing support. Creek earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Adnam was nominated for the NBL’s Sixth Man of the Year award. Despite its offensive firepower, South East Melbourne remained second last in the league for rebounding.
South East Melbourne ended the regular season against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on June 8, where Sykes (13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) played 19 minutes as the Bullets won 94-84. Creek (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Broekhoff (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) led the Phoenix, while Lamar Patterson (19 points and 3 assists) was Brisbane’s leading scorer, leaving South East Melbourne fourth with a 19-17 record and earning the franchise its first playoff appearance.
Keifer Sykes did him dirty back in NBL21 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XOqD1mgXBb— NBL (@NBL) May 30, 2024
South East Melbourne faced minor premiers Melbourne (28-8) in the semifinals, with the opening two games moved to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena because of COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria. Sykes averaged 17.7 points and 3.3 assists across the three-game series. United opened the series with a 96-78 victory behind Jock Landale (26 points and 1 block) and Scotty Hopson (22 points and 3 assists), while Moore (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal), Creek (15 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Sykes (12 points and 2 assists) led South East Melbourne.
Facing elimination in game two, Sykes (26 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and Creek (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) led South East Melbourne to a 90-79 victory, with Wetzell (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal) providing another strong performance. Hopson (19 points and 4 rebounds) and Chris Goulding (14 points and 3 rebounds) led Melbourne as the Phoenix forced a deciding game three.
The series returned to John Cain Arena for game three, where South East Melbourne led 32-15 during the second quarter before Melbourne took control. Te Rangi (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals), Creek (19 points and 9 rebounds) and Sykes (15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) led the Phoenix, while Landale (27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) made 11-of-13 shots from the field and all three of his three-point attempts, with Goulding (14 points and 2 steals) providing support as United won 84-74.
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.
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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.
Related
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