A Conversation With Keifer Sykes

·53 min·5 clips

The Horizon Roundtable hosts announce a 'super big' episode featuring Green Bay Phoenix legend and new GM Keifer Sykes.

The episode begins with hosts Bob McDonald and Jim Sayre introducing the show and promoting their Patreon and donation drive. They then welcome Keifer Sykes, a Green Bay Phoenix legend and new general manager for the men's basketball team. Sykes explains that the GM opportunity arose from his interest in front-office work, inspired by seeing other players like Steph Curry take on similar roles. He aims to mentor players and assist with community building, leveraging his connections in Chicago to recruit talent. The hosts note the historical correlation between Chicago players and Green Bay's success, prompting Sykes to discuss his role as a connector for Midwest recruitment. Sykes reflects on his college career, highlighting playing with high school teammates and the supportive coaching staff that drew him to Green Bay. He shares the emotional story of learning about his jersey retirement at a donor event, set for an exhibition game against Bradley. When asked about his favorite on-court memory, Sykes mentions a game against Wisconsin that made him feel the team had 'arrived'. The conversation shifts to the 2018 documentary 'Chi-Town', which Sykes says resonates because it shows his son and his journey as a teenage father. Sykes details his NBA experience, including scoring 22 points in his fourth game and the fulfillment of playing against Stephen Curry. He credits the TBT tournament with Boeheim's Army for helping him gain visibility leading to his NBA opportunity. Sykes advises young players to choose schools that fit them, not just big names, based on his own loyalty to Green Bay. He reveals plans to play his 11th professional season in Asia, preferring the fan atmosphere there. Sykes confirms he signed with the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix partly because of their mascot, linking back to Green Bay. He discusses his Free 10 Foundation, started to help children impacted by gun violence and incarceration, inspired by his documentary. The episode concludes with Sykes sharing his social media handles and the hosts teasing next week's guest.

As heard by us

Keifer Sykes ties Chicago, Green Bay basketball, filmmaking, and life beyond the court into one personal arc.

Keifer Sykes brings a grounded human pull to a conversation shaped by Chicago, Green Bay basketball, and the long arc from teenage parenthood into a wider public story.

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Why you'd press play

You hear Green Bay's new men's basketball general manager trace Chicago, college basketball, a filmed coming-of-age stretch, and the pull of life off the court.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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