Sykes Eyes NBL21 Finals Berth

South East Melbourne Phoenix import Keifer Sykes says his first fortnight living in Australia has been an even greater experience than he’d hoped as he eyes a top-four finish in NBL21.

The Chicago native joined the team’s preparations in Melbourne just over a fortnight ago alongside fellow import Ben Moore, before the squad temporarily relocated to Hobart last week.

Sykes is set for a major role with the Phoenix as the team's starting point guard and a leader with global basketball experience.

(Sykes at his first Phoenix training session)

He says the friendly people and the professional way COVID-19 outbreaks are handled across the country is a “refreshing” change following a wild year playing across the Northern Hemisphere.

“I like it a lot,” Sykes told 1116 SEN. “The fact we moved (to Hobart) after only a few cases just shows how urgent and how import controlling this covid situation is for you all. I’ve been travelling all over – I came from the States where it’s been mishandled – so it’s just refreshing to see how it’s handled.

“It’s also refreshing to come to a country where everyone speaks English and there’s so many good, nice people.

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“I’m just blessed to be here, happy to be here. It’s much better than I even thought it would be and I was already excited to come, it’s amazing.”

Now settled into his new home, the explosive guard’s eyes are firmly on leading his side to a finals berth.

“You’re going to see me work really hard, play really hard, expend all of my energy. I’m really quick, really fast, really athletic, really gritty, and do whatever it takes to win,” he said.

“I just want to do what it takes to win basketball games. At the end of the day my end goal going into the game is to get the win.

“The product that we’re working on to put on the floor – we’re working to put together a product that can be in the top four for the playoffs.”

Sykes’ friend, Jae’Sean Tate put together a stellar season for the Sydney Kings last season before earning a contract with the Houston Rockets and the new Phoenix point guard is wishing to follow the same path.

At 27-years-old, Sykes believes the global platform the NBL offers today will extend his opportunities to catch the eye of NBA scouts and eventually play on the biggest stage in the world.

“That is my ultimate goal,” he said.

“I’ve been going from different leagues to different leagues just to show how versatile I am and to see how well I can adapt to teams and test myself.

“I always want to be different, chase different goals, find different motivations, and like I said, with the NBA still being a goal for me, I see the trend of players coming here (Australia) then going to the NBA. I look at it like I’m giving myself another two or three years to have a shot at it.

“If everything goes back to normal next year, my stocks should be where I want it to be to give myself a chance.”

The Phoenix tip off their NBL21 season in Adelaide on January 16 against the 36ers.

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Phoenix Media (08/01/2021)