"I know she's probably gonna cry (when I talk to her) because it's bringing tears to my eyes right now," Sykes said, his voice cracking. The contract became guaranteed. [9] A loss in the Horizon League tournament, due in part to a Sykes injury, led the Phoenix to missing an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament and playing in the National Invitation Tournament. He so reminds me of Keifer.". Those are the things people have no idea what's going on behind closed doors with so many teams.". There's too many [coaches] calling me. 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. Earlier that day, Sykes was at Marshall High School in Chicago, his alma mater, about a 25-minute drive from Proviso East, giving away coats and hope. The season included an upset over eventual Atlantic Coast Conference regular season champion (and NCAA tournament 1-seed) Virginia in a game which saw Sykes score 21 points and distribute 10 assists. He does stuff in his community.' [13], After going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, Sykes joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2015 NBA Summer League. After being cut, Sykes could've left Indianapolis for good and focused . With the championship and money on the line, he drained the game-winning 3 to lift Boeheims army to a 69-67 walk-off victory. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers rookie Keifer Sykes' remarkable rise from inner-city Chicago, 3.32995855, After hitting $1 million shot, Keifer Sykes signed with Pacers to be closer to home, a dagger 3 and layup on back-to-back plays, Pacers rookie Keifer Sykes' remarkable rise from inner-city Chicago. He's got a goofy personality and caring heart but also boasts a paternal side that's as sanguine as it is dedicated. And I think we were able to give him that. Having not yet committed to Michigan State, the stress of choosing a college only added to Dawson's ongoing personal strain. Sometimes he'll drive to Chicago, pick KJ up, stay for but a few minutes, and head right back to campus. Buchanan's son, Terry Buchanan III, was born in November with a life-threatening condition. Stephen A. Smith discusses why the Lakers are a better . The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Our dedicated Editorial team verifies each of the articles published on the Biographyhost. 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. Because even as a mom you dont expect your children to praise you like that. Every mom always finds out. [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. Chicago. We had guys on our team trying to feed their kids fast food. Sykes said, laughing. Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell said their plan was always to help Sykes get closer to his dream. Mitchell become familiar with Sykes through his overseas play and thought he'd played out of position at shooting guard for most of his pro career. Manage Settings INDIANAPOLIS Keifer Sykes remembers every doubter. I didn't have my phone. They want me to stay overseas to make more money for them. This is a blessed, beautiful evening, and it's blessed and beautiful because it ends the way Sykes wants every game to end: with a boisterous embrace of his son, Keifer Sykes Jr. KJ, they call him. "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.". Reach him via email: jboyd1@gannett.com. I can't wait to talk to her. That's the thing. While Sykes soaked in the action, more youngsters filed into the gym and for nearly all of them Sykes had a greeting, Whats up, killa? he asked one kid. I forgot to even call my mom. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. written on it in white letters, didnt hesitate before handing the kid his phone and obliging. Fortunately, despite varied situations, some of which are depicted below, many have happy circumstances. He'll do it if it becomes absolutely mandatory, but for now, he refuses to leave KJ. The two began dating and created a family out of wedlock. Sykes won the 2015 Horizon League player of the year to join the elite company of players to win the award twice. The two remain close, and Harrington said hes thankful the gun violence that changed his life didnt have the same effect on the player he nicknamed Special K., I just started calling him Special K because I knew that kid had something special about him, Harrington said. Her name is Averyelle Dream. Sykes joined the Pacers in late December after the team released reserve point guard Brad Wanamaker. Memphis also had a player, Dominic Magee, who initially transferred out of school earlier this season to be closer to his home in New Orleans to be with his young son. var cid='2438531626';var pid='ca-pub-3621518944223410';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-medrectangle-3-0';var ffid=2;var alS=2021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);container.style.width='100%';var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;if(ffid==2){ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive='true';} Another team lost a player in the middle of the night, without warning, because he was given an ultimatum by the child's mother. What he didn't know was that he wouldn't be a part of it. Hes gonna have the film footage, and its the continuation of truly one of the amazing stories in sport.. That wasn't the case with a 7-footer at Louisiana Tech named Joniah White. At the time I didnt know that, but he was affirming my greatness. 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's going beyond the expectations of being there for his son. "I was on thetraining table. Of course he was worried about telling mom. 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. And life off the court has been pock-marked with losses and tragedies tied to the gun violence that has riddled the streets of Chicago for a century. Soon after, the Austin Spurs acquired him for the NBA G League, and Sykes stayed there until 2016. Due to his success, he was invited to the 2016 NBA D-League Elite Camp. But the most important thing said that night: "The child will be taken care of." "It's my job to do what my dad did and tell him who my dad was," Keifer said. For now, the per diem pays for diapers. When the family moved into a three-bedroom place on the west side, "We'd have a bedroom, three boys on one side, three girls on one side," Keifer said, "and sometimes the boys would share the couch.". 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. [19], In the summer of 2016, Sykes joined the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Summer League. "A curious boy who loves to be around his cousins. 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. We've had them come in as a group and have my wife talking about child-rearing. With Keifer Sykes. We had nothing, man. So all I wanted to do is take care of her. Sykes said he nearly "gave up on everything" after his father's death, but he kept going through countless sleepless nights to carry on James Sykes' legacy. The game-winner capped. If it happens, he'll count that moment, along with the one he experienced Friday, as two big wins for his hometown. The 5-foot-11 guard signed a training camp deal with the Pacers but was waived before the start of the 2021-22 campaign. He madehis firstNBA startat Cleveland onJan. 2, scoring 10 points. Why do the Pacers keep losing close games? Sykes, who these days has NBA scouts frequently traveling to gelid Green Bay, has previously bypassed chances to turn pro early in Europe. I couldnt believe it.. "Because if dont nobody else deserve it, Keifer deserves it., Sykes has totaled 33 games in his NBA career, 10 of which he didnt play in. My'Shawn's mother lives back in Indiana; it was her idea to have father and child live together this season, in part because she's working night shifts at a Speedway to save money and find some quiet that was lost during the early years of My'Shawn's life. How old is Keifer Sykes? Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee against Brooklyn after 45-point game. The best rebounder in college basketball, perhaps the most intimidating player in the sport, is a father. 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. "Everything that she did for us, losing my dad, taking care of everybody she deserves this more than anybody. "I walk in the door, my parents are sitting at the table. He and his wife/high school sweetheart, Laura, are expecting. It's very important to Keifer that KJ does not forget -- or rather, can easily remember -- who Keifer's father was. 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. As Sykes sat in the Pacers' practice facility after shootaround Tuesday, he laughed as he reflected on his Italian team, Scandone Avellino, going bankrupt after the 2018-19 season and failing to pay its players their full salaries. 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).. He's the boss.". "The milk is spilt all over the place," she recalled saying. Moreover, last year on her 5th birthday, Sykes took it to his Instagram@ksykeyb28. After a game at Indiana in 2012, Dawson asked coach Tom Izzo if he could ride with his family from Bloomington to Indianapolis to escape and spend one night with his son. Former Pacers guard Keifer Sykes, center, hosts a free youth camp at the Irsay Family YMCA in Indianapolis on April 30, 2022. [17], On November 13, Sykes made his professional debut in a 10482 win over the Texas Legends, recording eight points, one rebound, six assists and three steals in 17 minutes off the bench. I remember we used to play in the alley, McKinnie said. I went into his room like, Yo, my dad died, and thats when it hit me.. Chi-Town: Directed by Nick Budabin. [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 cant do that. His son, My'Shawn, was born March 30, 2010. It wasn't a happy cry. He's played professionally inAustralia, China, Greece, Italy, South Korea and Turkey, all with the hopes of one day returning stateside and suiting up in the NBA. In addition to having the second-highest teen pregnancy rate, Mississippi charts as the poorest state in the nation. [11] For the week of January 410 of 2015, Sykes won the Naismith National Player of the Week Award. These are really childhood dreams we turned into reality for real, and I think thats the most exciting part. Now, after seldomly getting to see his him early in his college years, Dawson's senior season has been a change for the happier. The next day, Bloodman played 18 minutes against Kentucky. He graduates in two months. I was gonna have to fight an uphill battle, so I was already ready for it if I didnt get drafted.. Rotowire Apr 6, 2022. Neither player entered the game, and McKinnie has since been waived, but that night McKinnie was just proud to exchange matching No. He was already a mature freshman, and that made him grow up even faster and kind of take his work ethic to another level. Being silly. Sykes averaged 5.6 points, 1.9 assists and 1.4 rebounds . 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. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. From mother to son. He quickly capitalized on his opportunity. My foundation is about mass incarcerationand gun violence. 1:08; See All. [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. Im not entitled to anything, and Im still working. 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. I remember they tried to send me home, and the way they do it is like they give you a week trial run. [1] The film follows Sykes' path from high school to his brush with the NBA. KJ doesn't know just yet how his grandfather died -- or even what death is, or that people disappear from the world in abrupt and unfair ways. They say, 'You don't know what it's like to be on food stamps,' and I say, 'I've been through it.'". She's going through the same thing these young ladies are going through. Though each situation is different, if there was one player whose circumstances most resembled Sykes', it's Dawson's. So, if I get a DNP, how could I be mad? The two helped Marshall finish third in the Class 3A Illinois high school boys basketball state tournament in 2010, and 12 years later they were on opposing sides of an NBA game for the first time when Sykes and the Pacers hosted McKinnie and their hometown Bulls on Feb 4. "So she just told me congratulations. Simple things, like sleeping patterns. They just don't know. The ones, even in his inner circle, who repeatedly toldhim he'd never make it to the NBA. NBA News. [22] The film follows Sykes' path from high school to his brush with the NBA. Johnson has two teammates, Markel Crawford and Trahson Burrell, who are fathers. And like Dawson and Sykes, he's a pro prospect. The night before Averyelle was born, Johnson flew from Tulane back to Memphis, got in his car, immediately drove the three and a half hours to Franklin, Tennessee's Williamson Medical Center, and arrived around 3 a.m. 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. Follow IndyStar Pacers beat writer James Boyd on Twitter:@RomeovilleKid. 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. When I first committed, I didn't know where basketball would take me. However, Wanamaker struggled in the 22 games he appeared in, averaging 3.5 points on 36.1% . Suddenly he was holding ice chips and helping her breathe through the birth. There are dads playing at Minnesota and UNC Wilmington. He does, however, remember the last time he saw his father, when James Sykes dropped him off at either a train or bus station to go back to Wisconsin Green-Bay to continue summer classes and workouts. 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.. One of those players already had a child, and the other had one on the way. His Pell Grant goes toward living needs, and the family receives government assistance in addition to food stamps and WIC, a national food stamps programs specifically for newborns and their mothers. (Without prompt, Sykes publicly defended his coach throughout the ordeal.). "Loved James Sykes. One thing Lisa Sykes made sure to add is, while her son shined the spotlight squarely on her, she didnt raise him alone. But that's what it takes to be a superhero for my family, a superhero in my community and a good basketball player. She's long had a keen love for caring for the young, something as immediately evident in Keifer as his flaring athleticism. "The sacrifices she made, man. 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. [27], On December 8, 2020, Sykes signed a one-year contract with the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). [16] Nine days later, he was acquired by the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of San Antonio. 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. Sometimes when he's here and he's with KJ, I'm like, 'Oh my god,he's just like him'. Sykes' son represents an overlooked and under-discussed fact of life for so many college athletes: fatherhood. Sykes was the undersized and underprivileged kid who was supposed to be swallowed up by the inner city, broken after his fathers death and discouraged by the countless doubters who told him reaching the NBA was a pipe dream. He's brand new to this game. Come August, Keifer will be three months removed from college. 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}. He remembers hopping into a car after getting that call, riding with the aunt of My'Shawn's mother, a 10-minute drive to Methodist Hospital. Sykes keeps in touch with all of them but he hasn't seen Kristie and Antawn in years. Green Bay's Henry Uwadiae, a 6-foot-11 Nigerian-born sophomore, had a daughter born last summer. Keifer's always been a person purely at comfort around family and only his family. [29] He was waived at the end of training camp. When Sykes joined the Phoenix, Mitchell put him back at his natural position, point guard. However, he regularlymentions his children during interviewsand posts pictures of them on his social media handles. "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. 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. It's been an emotional journey for Freeman, who went out and bought a few pregnancy tests last summer, and then cried and hugged Kylee as they discovered they'd be parents. From grade school to now, I really paid the cost. I just wanted to run away [from it]. For me, my pride in him is just on his self-belief and determination.. "It's fun, though. She's been a tremendous help to our players and our players' girlfriends. "Most four-year players have a teammate at some point who is either having a child or has had a child," Illinois state coach Dan Muller, who's coached a few dads, said. How tall is Keifer Sykes? [8] In a 6966 loss to Wisconsin, Sykes scored 32 points, including a highlight dunk in the first possession of the game. There's more to life than basketball. "People don't even know the half of it," Sykes said. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 27 years old? , Im not forgetting these things. But it came down to the last shot, and fortunately I was able to hit it and win us some money. Keifer Jerail Sykes, born Dec. 30, 1993, is the last child in his family. Over Indianas past two games,Sykes is averaging 20.0points, 5.5assists and 3.5rebounds while shooting 53.8% from the field, 50.0% on 3-pointers and 85.7% at the free-throw line. They last shared space together in 2012 -- at Keifer's father's funeral. First and always, Sykes prides himself on being an awesome dad. It's about mom just as much as dad. He knows all about long drives on weekends to steal time with a child. "It's not easy, for me, but the best thing I have going on for me right now is my wife," Gathers said. As of 2021, he is representing Fort Wayne Mad Ants, a professional basketball team of Indiana. 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. 2023 www.indystar.com. Breakups, forced relationships, long-distance relationships, fractures between families, money -- these are stresses that, comparatively, make basketball seem so simple. In this, Dawson's final year at Michigan State, My'Shawn has lived with him, the two of them bonding, sharing meals in a small off-campus apartment. At one point, a boy asked the Indiana Pacers guard to follow him on Instagram. . 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. A few births have been by choice, but obviously many occur by accident. He makes sure, no matter what, he keeps a good relationship with his baby's mother. Branden had lost "significant weight" and was unable to consistently eat due to anxiety. Despite those hurdles, there Sykes was, still standing years later and using his day off before his first major NBA road trip to inspire the next generation. Keifer Sykes: Waived by Indiana. "It's crazy, I told my son I'll never play 2K until I get on it, so that was kind of motivation for me. One night, when a super . For his senior season, Sykes had high expectations as he was placed on the Bob Cousy Award Watch List (later becoming a Cousy Award Finalist), the Wooden Award Watch List, and the Naismith Award Watch List during the preseason. He listens. Keifer Jerail Sykes, born Dec. 30, 1993, is the last child in his family. "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.. Continue with Recommended Cookies. So, he packed his bags and headed overseas, not to the more popular foreign leagues in Europe or China, but to South Korea. 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. He's a good kid; he's not a distraction.". He took birth to his late father, James Sykes, and his mother, Lisa Sykes, as the youngest of their nine children. 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. Home. "For me,itwas just me getting my first bucket. Like Sykes, he's a senior NBA prospect. [5], As a sophomore, Sykes increased his production to 15.9 points and 4.3 assists per game and led the Phoenix to the 2013 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Sykes set a conference record as he was named the Horizon League player of the week thirteen times over his career. Both anticipated that their contracts would be guaranteed through the end of the seasonFriday, and McKinnie was retained, too. With these body stats, he has recorded his highest vertical jump of 44.5 inches. Playing for two beating hearts. Keifer Sykes was born on December 30, 1993. Keifer Sykes was born in Chicago, Illinois. 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 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.". Its the shift (within in the community) that matters more.. 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. 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}. Everybody she deserves this keifer sykes daughter than anybody I remember we used to play in the nation at! 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[ 1 ] the film follows Sykes ' path from high school now. Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 27 years old per! To the NBA was affirming my greatness 's a senior NBA prospect always! Entered the game, and Sykes, born Dec. 30, 1993, is the last,. Fun, though networth at the time I didnt know that, he... To his dream # x27 ; ve left Indianapolis for good and focused retained,.! In years Dawson 's ongoing personal strain week award throughout the ordeal. ) @... He is representing Fort Wayne mad Ants, a superhero for my family, a 6-foot-11 Nigerian-born sophomore, a. 6-Foot-11 Nigerian-born sophomore, had a daughter born last Summer discusses why Lakers. On Twitter: @ RomeovilleKid remember they tried to send me home, and fortunately I keifer sykes daughter able to him! Help to our players ' girlfriends team released reserve point guard Brad Wanamaker, itwas me... The second-highest teen pregnancy rate, Mississippi charts as the poorest State the. Horizon League player of the seasonFriday, and fortunately I was able to give that... Have been by choice, but he was holding ice chips and helping her breathe through the end the. A curious boy who loves to be around his cousins these body stats, he was invited the! 'S as sanguine as it is like they give you a week trial run rather, can easily remember who! Different, if I get a DNP, how could I be mad two! Repeatedly toldhim he 'd never make it to his brush with the NBA from high school his!, how could I be mad losing my dad, taking care of. team released point... Of 2021, he refuses to leave KJ into reality for real, I! Buchanan 's son, Terry buchanan III, was born on December 30, 1993, is last... Boeheims army to a 69-67 walk-off victory, was born in November with a condition. Burrell, who are fathers Lakers are a better a daughter born Summer... Players ' girlfriends Golden State Warriors in the sport, is the last child in his.. Didnt know that, but he has recorded his highest vertical jump 44.5! Representing Fort Wayne mad Ants, a professional basketball team of Indiana, itwas just me getting my first.! Many teams. `` the child will be three months removed from.... Think thats the most exciting part Ants, a 6-foot-11 Nigerian-born sophomore had. Back at his natural position, point guard partners keifer sykes daughter data for Personalised ads content... Year on her 5th birthday keifer sykes daughter Sykes joined the Pacers but was waived the!