There was yelling on one end of the line and a 15-year-old stomach swirling to mush on the other. 1:08; See All. However, they waived him on 21 October of the same year, after three preseason games. Unlike Dawson and Sykes, he's married. "(My mom) put it together after the fact," Sykes said. 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.. Former South East Melbourne Phoenix import Keifer Sykes has enjoyed a stunning rise with the Indiana Pacers, starting at point guard in their 129-121 loss to Brooklyn Nets on Thursday (AEDT) after seven years playing around the world and in the NBA G-League. I lost like 40 or 50 grand.". His players have brought their children over for playdates with Ray's son, who was born in 2013. ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true}); In Chicago, Illinois, USA, the NBA G League player Sykes wasbornon 30 December 1993. "I tried to hold back the tears. The game-winner capped. His camp is having trouble getting them admitted into the road arenas. INDIANAPOLIS Keifer Sykes remembers every doubter. Keifer Sykes was born on 30 December, 1993 in Chicago, Illinois, United States, is an American basketball player. Sykes' relationship with his son is the connection he carries from the one he had with his father, that connection he still feels, but one that inevitably dims with the passage of time. On Dec. 7, 2013, Wisconsin Green-Bay hosted and upset Virginia behind a stellar performance from Sykes. It's very important to Keifer that KJ does not forget -- or rather, can easily remember -- who Keifer's father was. Obviously the city is gonna be so happy,"Sykes said. " Though each situation is different, if there was one player whose circumstances most resembled Sykes', it's Dawson's. 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. Magee is now enrolled at Grand Canyon University. Sykes, a self-described daddy's boy, wasn't worried that being a father might hurt his chances in recruitment. And when Michigan State's got a road game, he'll ask Johnny or Devonte, "Is that my dad playing?". So all I wanted to do is take care of her. 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 has seen his role grow over the years, shouldering more and more of the offensive workload for Green Bay, while rounding himself into a dynamic offensive option. He didn't sleep through the night, and in the darkest hour, their child was born. The plan is for mother and child to pack up and go with. "I do not want to go pro overseas," he said. Wardle answered his phone that afternoon to hear the mother of his talented newcomer crying on the other line. Sykes was selected in the second round of the 2016 Korean Basketball League by the Anyang Korea Ginseng Corporation, taking a 15-hour trip across the world that began a roughly five-year journey abroad. People think it's hard, and it is, but when I'm around KJ, that's the only time I can really get away from [basketball]. Without her, I wouldn't have been as successful as I have been this year.". He did not sleep overnight. Our dedicated Editorial team verifies each of the articles published on the Biographyhost. There's too many [coaches] calling me. 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. Ray also said there are a lot of players who don't see their coaches as men who overcame hardship to be where they're at, so they're hesitant to approach or ask for help. Pacers swingmen Torrey Craig, Justin Anderson enter NBA's COVID-19 protocols, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. I just repeated it like, Remember what your dad said. His dad taught him everything he knows about being a man, being responsible and taking the lead in everything you do.. He's got a goofy personality and caring heart but also boasts a paternal side that's as sanguine as it is dedicated. "At this point, she's three months pregnant," Keifer said. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. "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.". When he's running around, jumping, having fun, I can't do nothing but laugh. "I didn't expect much out of basketball," Sykes said. Like Sykes, he's a senior NBA prospect. A family of seven crammed into a two-bedroom place, where they lived until Sykes got to high school. [25], On October 4, 2020, Sykes signed a 1-month contract with Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League. Branden had lost "significant weight" and was unable to consistently eat due to anxiety. Discover Keifer Sykes's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. [30][31] He was waived on April 7, 2022. "I was pacing in the waiting room. Its really not about the NBA, Sykes says. It's an intense situation for Ray and plenty of coaches who've become surrogate fathers in plenty of ways, this being a prominent one. in the Turkish TBL, posting 22.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. 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. He madehis firstNBA startat Cleveland onJan. 2, scoring 10 points. . On April 5, the 5-11 guard was autographing mini basketballs and. Almost nothing about Sykes' life or current situation is normal (he impregnated his then-girlfriend, Allyne, when he was 15). He posted a picture carrying her and wrote a beautiful heartfelt message. So this is gonna be my first time playing 2K.". Keifer Sykes scanned the gym at Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, watching as grade school children ran around playing basketball the game that's taken him around the world but. [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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. One thing Lisa Sykes made sure to add is, while her son shined the spotlight squarely on her, she didnt raise him alone. Being silly. [12] Sykes was one of eight invitees to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2015 Final Four, where he placed second. By the time Wardle got to Sykes' dorm room, Sykes had locked himself in the bathroom as he grappled with one overarching and unshakable thought: The life he had before he went to sleep was gone. Anderson is banking on landing a pro contract overseas this spring or summer. His father taught him and told him about becoming a boy to a man, Lisa Sykes said. Keifer Sykes is 29 years old. It's free school, and I'm getting it, so let's go.". "So she just told me congratulations. 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. This summer, there was a murder near the house where Keifer Jr. lives with. He has just one full sibling, James Sykes Jr., and seven more half-siblings: DaVon, Jarvis, Kristie, Jameeka,. I remember looking up in the clouds like, My dad is in heaven already? Ill never forget that I was holding myself together until we got to the corner and turned down my block, thats when I was just like, Damn and broke down like crazy. So all I wanted to do is take care of her. I was afraid to tell my mom.". Keifer Jerail Sykes, born Dec. 30, 1993, is the last child in his family. Eventually, Keifer will find himself back in Homewood, Illinois, standing over a plot where James Sykes eternally rests. His college scholarship goes toward rent. At Marshall, we were a basketball powerhouse, and it was a Chicago public school. Because even as a mom you dont expect your children to praise you like that. I was an All-Star, we won the regular-season (league) title and postseason title, but over there its so cutthroat, Sykes said. Like Sykes, he opted not to turn pro early despite having a child to feed. Now, after seldomly getting to see his him early in his college years, Dawson's senior season has been a change for the happier. Nine children from five mothers and two fathers. Sykes said he also shared a moment over the phone Thursday night with fellow Chicago native and former high school and collegeteammate Alfonzo McKinnie, who now playsfor the Bulls. I didn't learn that until Igotto college.". You'd be amazed at what these guys don't know about parenting. From mother to son. 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. Another team lost a player in the middle of the night, without warning, because he was given an ultimatum by the child's mother. "I walk in the door, my parents are sitting at the table. "A curious boy who loves to be around his cousins. The sacrifices she made, man. His son, My'Shawn, was born March 30, 2010. That was crazy, but the craziest part is that if we had made it to the championship (in Australia), I wouldve missed the deadline to submit (for TBT).. 'I told you don't let him go to that school.'". [16] Nine days later, he was acquired by the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of San Antonio. 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. American NBA Player, Representative of Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Indiana. [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. I met with director Nick Budabin and star Keifer Sykes, of the new documentary Chi-Town (which I also reviewed), on Monday, March 12, at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival.The film, which follows Sykes from the end of his high-school basketball career through the end of college, and just beyond, is like a sequel, of sorts, to the great Steve James' 1994 Hoop Dreams. Sykes credits his humbleness to his parents, James and Lisa Sykes, who were featured in a documentary about Sykes rise to high school and college stardom called, Chi-Town. 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