Keifer Sykes Analysis

This past Wednesday night, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay point guard Keifer Sykes returned home to Chicago. The soon to be two time Horizon Player of the Year had a career day at UIC and went over the 2,000 point mark for his career in the process.

Keifer Sykes, PG, 6’0”, Senior

18.5 PPG, 4.5 RBG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 46.0% FG’s

UWGB 72 UIC 67

Stat Line: 36 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 2 TO’s, 13-23 FG’s (1-5 3PT)

The dynamic and diminutive point guard was dominant in the first half against UIC scoring 21 of his 36 points. He scored on a lay-up two minutes into the game and quickly added two more lay-ups to his total before the first TV timeout. Sykes was the shortest player on the court, but with his explosive leaping ability he was able to finish with ease down low amongst taller defenders. With less than 10 minutes to go in the first half, Sykes started knocking down deep jump shots within the arc. He hit four jump shots in total showing good form and a soft touch after quickly rising from his spot on the floor. In addition, the 5'10” guard added in a powerful one-hand dunk on the break after overpowering a defender and a three pointer to close out the half.

It looked to be more of the same in the second half with Sykes opening the stanza with an and-one jump shot. Green Bay followed with a three to stretch their lead out to 46-29 and the route was on. Sykes got out of attack mode and started settling for deep jump shots and three’s instead of driving to the rim and as his missed shots began to pile-up the lead also started to shrink. UIC eventually tied the game up at 61 but then Sykes came back to life out of a timeout and recorded a hard-cutting lay-up and subsequent steal with 2:05 remaining. As a 77% free throw shooter, Sykes iced the game from the line going 7-8 down the stretch. He tallied 15 points in the second half, but for Sykes it was a tale of two halves.

Analysis:

As a senior, where will the game of basketball take Keifer Sykes next? He is currently No. 96 on the DraftExpress Top 100 and had several NBA scouts in attendance for his performance in Chicago.

Playing at the mid-major level, Sykes put his stamp on the game early and had a dominant performance. Sykes is strong, extremely explosive, and quick, all of which makes him a very tough cover in the college game. With his leaping ability Sykes finished in the paint and created separation with his quickness. He was mentally locked in the game with positive body language throughout the first half and created several steals with his quick hands and quick feet. As noted above, Sykes displayed nice form and lift on his jump shots but struggled from outside the arc going just 1-5 from the three point line.

In the second half, Sykes went into cruise control and started to settle for deep jump shots. He was unassertive on the few pick and roll plays his team did run and instead of putting pressure on the opposing defender with a sharp and quick move he let the defender off the hook. For the most part Sykes made good decisions with the ball in his hands and while he only ended up with three assists he made several nice passes that created open looks for his teammates.

The knock on Sykes will always revolve around his size. He is listed at 6’0”, but that might be generous. He is also hurt by his short wing span and compact body. His quickness and leaping ability are his biggest strengths, but that will be less of an advantage on the next level. Can Sykes turn into a spark plug off the bench for a team in the NBA? Given the situation, it’s definitely a possibility. The athleticism is there and with the success of smaller guards like Isaiah Thomas the lack of height does not have to be a deciding factor. What will be a deciding factor is the shooting ability of Sykes. As a sophomore, he shot 41% from behind the arc but only attempted 72 shots. As a junior, his attempts increased 34%, but his percentage fell to 31%. This year Sykes has attempted 4.3 three’s a game (129 overall) and is knocking them down at a 32% clip. Extremely comfortable at 18 feet, Sykes will need be comfortable from the NBA three-point line.

In person, Sykes is worth the price of admission and his athletic exploits were chronicled earlier in the year on Grantland. The Horizon League conference tournament starts this week and Green Bay will need their two time player of the year playing at a high level in order to capture the championship. If Sykes can lead his team to the Promised Land, he could easily turn into the newest darling of March.