Green Bay senior Keifer Sykes has been named a finalist for the 2015 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Friday morning. Sykes is one of 17 finalists nationally for the annual honor, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes the top point guards in men’s basketball.
Sykes had been named to the watch list for the Cousy Award for each of the past three seasons, but this marks the first time the Phoenix point guard has been named a finalist.
Averaging 17.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game, Sykes has led the Phoenix to a 21-6 overall record and a 10-3 mark heading into Friday night’s home game against Cleveland State at 6 p.m.
The reigning Horizon League Player of the Year has scored in double figures in 25 of the team’s 27 games during his senior campaign. Sykes has moved into second place on Green Bay’s all-time scoring list with 1,963 points, and with 37 more points will become just the second player alongside Tony Bennett to reach 2,000 career points.
Showing his versatility as a lead guard, the Chicago native also ranks third in program history in career assists (504) and eighth in career steals (145). He has dished out 100 or more
Sykes is on pace to become the Horizon League’s first player in the conference’s history to total 2,000-plus points, 400-plus rebounds and 400-plus assists. He is also the only active player nationally to post 1,800-plus points, 400-plus rebounds and 400-plus assists.
A two-time All-Horizon League performer, Sykes has won a conference record 12 player of the week awards. He ranks 13th in program history in scoring, and with 28 more points will move into the top-10.
Earlier in the season, Sykes was also named to the Naismith Award and Wooden Award Watch Lists as one of the nation’s top players.
Sykes is the third Horizon League player in five seasons to be a finalist. Cleveland State's Norris Cole was one of 10 finalists in 2011 and Detroit's Ray McCallum was one of 20 finalists in 2012.
The 17 finalists will be cut down to five in early March, and the award will be presented to the winner during the 2015 Final Four in Indianapolis.
2015 Bob Cousy Award Finalists
Tyrone Wallace, University of California-Berkeley
Quinn Cook, Duke University
Tyus Jones, Duke University
Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga University
Yogi Ferrell, Indiana University
T.J. McConnell, University of Arizona
Ryan Boatright, University of Connecticut
Monte Morris, Iowa State University
Terry Rozier, University of Louisville
Romelo Trimble, University of Maryland
Marcus Paige, University of North Carolina
Kris Dunn, Providence College
Delon Wright, University of Utah
Nigel Williams-Goss, University of Washington
Keifer Sykes, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Juwan Staten, West Virginia University
Fred VanVleet, Wichita State University
