CHICAGO — Heading to the airport Sunday afternoon to begin his potential NBA career, Chicago's Keifer Sykes said he was in a "perfect situation."
Sykes, a South Chicago native and former Marshall Metropolitan High School star guard, was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers moments after Thursday's NBA draft ended. Sykes, an explosive guard and two-time Horizon League player of the year from Wisconsin-Green Bay, was leaving Chicago for Cleveland on Sunday.
He'll suit up for the Cavaliers' summer league team with a chance to make Cleveland's NBA roster. If that happens, Skyes knows he'll have the opportunity to play — and practice — with Cavs superstar LeBron James, who nearly averaged a triple-double in an NBA Finals series loss to the Golden State Warriors. James reportedly opted out of his contract Sunday, but is expected to re-sign with Cleveland.
"It would mean everything, more so practicing with [James] every day to see his work ethic," Sykes told DNAinfo Chicago Sunday afternoon. "Watching those playoffs, his will is like no other. Just to be able to see that up close on a daily basis, that's what I'm looking forward to."
Sykes was projected to be a second-round pick in the draft, but he wasn't selected. He said the Cavaliers called him near the end of the draft and expressed interest in signing him.
"It happened pretty fast," Sykes said. "They wanted to give me an opportunity to play on their summer league team. I was all for it. I was content with what happened [not getting drafted]. It was perfect actually."
Sykes said his Facebook and Twitter accounts have been flooded with congratulatory messages, and he hasn't had time to respond to the numerous text messages from his Chicago friends and family. He wanted to thank the city for its continued support.
"That gives me that extra boost and that belief," Sykes said. "It's fun to have their support. There's no way I would have that belief in myself without the positivity in Chicago."
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