Names to know for 2015: Keifer Sykes

I am not the first poster to talk about [Player: Keifer Sykes], still thought it would be cool to post about Wisconsin Green Bay’s high flying PG with this new mixtape from CityLeagueHoops from this summer’s CP3 camp:

As a junior, Sykes averaged 20.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg and 4.9 apg (only 2.1 topg). As far as his above the rim ability in the video above, he threw down 27 dunks last season, sixteen more than his 7-foot teammate and 2014 2nd round draftee [Player: Alec Brown]. Too put that in further perspective, Sykes had 3 more dunks than the PG leader (Elfrid Payton) in my dunk counter featuring 100 NCAA prospects in the 2014 Draft.

Not that dunks mean that much, just some proof of how fast and explosive Sykes can be. The absence of Brown will more than likely make life a bit more difficult for Sykes, though it was hard to say he was not the team leader last season. His lack of size (listed generously at 6’0", he is likely an inch or so shorter) and shaky outside shooting (was only 30.9% from 3 last year, a major step back from the 42.3% he shot as a sophomore, each year making approximately 1 per game) will have skeptical of his draft prospects, though I think his aggressive style and poise could definitely impress.

UW Green Bay missed the tournament last year after losing in the conference tournament to eventual Horizon bid, UW Milwaukee. Am hoping Sykes might have a chance to show his worth during this March, though Green Bay gets an immediate test against Wisconsin on Nov 19. Last year Sykes hit the Badgers up for 32 in a 69-66 loss. He also averaged 24 ppg and 7.7 apg in a string of three non-conference games against NCAA teams, with a loss to Harvard and wins over both Tulsa and eventual ACC Champions, Virginia. Word was he turned some heads at CP3, know he has some fans on the forum and wanted to spread the word that he is a senior to watch in 2015.