Indiana Pacers: Keifer Sykes on giving back to his community & what it’s like to play with Lance Stephenson

On Jan. 15, Indiana Pacers’ point guard Keifer Sykes hosted an MLK Day warmth drive & service day at Proviso East and Marshall High Schools to provide clothes to kids in the community he grew up in.

Sykes’ own organization, the Free 10 Foundation, partnered with the Danka Basketball League’s Winter Showcase to produce the event.

After playing the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 14, the Pacers had the weekend off, allowing Sykes the perfect opportunity to travel to Chicago and be there for the kids.

I sat down with Indiana Pacers’ point guard Keifer Sykes to discuss how the event was for him, to talk about being a Pacer for the rest of the season, and what it’s like to play with Lance Stephenson.

Q: How did the event go this past weekend and what does it mean to you to provide clothes and essential items in an event like that to your community?

"“The event went very well. With me trying to do it at my high school, I had outsourced and tried to see who were having leagues and things like that where I can stay in touch with the kids and be present.It worked out so well that we had a day off and I was able to strategically schedule it that way, not knowing for sure if we had the day off. Just trying to do the best I can to not just give resources, but to be present and let them feel my presence”.To speak to them, to mentor them, and just be there because coming from Chicago seeing professional athletes is something that’s very hard to do.There are people saying we can’t make it but I wanted to be the first one to make it to the NBA and the first thing I do is come back to Chicago. It is just where my heart is to give back, so it was just super amazing. One of the best events ive had.”"

Sykes was able to host two events, going back to his high school to provide clothing and essential items to the kids there, and going to Provosio East to host a basketball tournament for grades 3-12.

Sykes even said the Indiana Pacers organization helped out and provided coats, hats, gloves, and more to this event last weekend.

Q: You’ve been doing this for three years now, How did you decide this was something you wanted to make an annual tradition in your hometown?

"“I knew back when I was a kid I traveled an hour to get to high school each day. Just having a coat was kind of the coolest thing to have. I am kinda hip, I stay close to the kids all throughout the year with my YBM Sports group.I am in the streets (of Chicago) and I played overseas so I am relatable to these kids. Having a coat was one of the coolest things to have but one of the hardest things to get.I am not naive to the situation, most people that have money or have the privilege that just buy a coat like it is normal don’t know that buying a coat is something difficult to do”."

Sykes’ heart has always been with helping others when needed. It even translates on the basketball court, he is usually the first person to help pick a guy up after being fouled.

Knowing the situation that people went through this past few years, Sykes is even more motivated to help others who may have lost their jobs to the pandemic.

His organization, the Free 10 Foundation hosts this warmth drive and many other events each year.

After discussing his event and what he did for his local community, I asked Sykes a few Pacers-specific questions, including what it is like to play with Lance Stephenson.

Q: To get into your basketball life, you’re an Indiana Pacer for the rest of the season, what does it mean to you knowing all your work would get you to this point?

"Just me having the right mindset, I told you I was mentally conditioning myself to do whatever it takes if I had to play in the G-League, try to get wins, and luckily I had that mindset.Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been prepared, life went from zero to a hundred with me not just making the team but starting games. Even these last couple of games with me not playing I am still a voice and helping lead, I feel like I did my part to help us win the other day.I am just happy I was mentally conditioned to do this, for me, it has just been super. I am just trying to get better every day and do as much work as I can. Being me in the midst of all these guys and a hall of fame coach, I just want to make the most of it for the duration of the season.”"

This opportunity is not something that Sykes wants to waste. He is now 28 years old and proving his worth on the NBA court is very important.

The Pacers have seen what he can bring to a team and Sykes has been valuable to an Indiana Pacers team that is struggling with depth at the point guard role.

Q: Not only are you a Pacer, but you have stepped up in a big way for this team. What is your focus now that you’re here for the rest of the season?

"“My focus is, you know it looks pretty steep but, if we can get into one of those play-in games and bring energy every day, we want to get into one of those play-in spots and have a chance to make the playoffs as the 7th or 8th seed.It has been a quick, really sharp learning curve but I do feel like I belong. I just want to get better each day, and I feel like with that mindset things will continue to be positive for me. There is not a specific route or goal that I have, I just always want to maximize my time and opportunity”."

Sykes has stepped up in a big way for this team. In just his second NBA start, he scored 22 points in Madison Square Garden, which led the Indiana Pacers in scoring.

He is averaging 7.6 points per game and 2.6 assists while shooting 39.8% from the field. He has stared in 8 of his 12 games with the Indiana Pacers.

Q: What is it like to be around Lance Stephenson, being around his energy and what did that bring to the team?

"“It has been really cool for me personally, we played each other in the G-League and in china so we have seen each other’s grind, for him to be here he’s someone that I have been confining in more than others with us being familiar with each other. His energy is great because the team needs it. Me and him kind of feed off each other I would say.When he gets a little too down, I try to pick him back up and when he has really high energy I like to tell him that the team needs that and to just continue to be him. It’s great to have his energy, someone like me, I feed off that. We are both a little crazy in our own sense, he is a little more outgoing (than me) and it’s something that I’ve learned from.It is like throwing a wildcard in a game, you saw what he was able to do (in his first game back). To be unpredictable and just have those superpowers is amazing to see and fun to watch”."

Sykes will remain a Pacer for the rest of the season and with the current team’s struggles, he could get to see more in-game action as the Pacers look towards their future.