GO/NITRO BIO: NCAA Basketball-Brittney Sykes, Syracuse Orange

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Stay tuned for more bios of Alexis Peterson, Coach Q and special NCAA content with the Syracuse Orange in the coming days ahead, only on GO/NITRO.

Brittney Sykes, senior redshirt guard for the Syracuse Orange, has a long history — as do most players of the game, having played for the first time at only three years old.

Billed with Alexis Peterson as America’s Best Backcourt in NCAA’s prestigious Division I level basketball program, Sykes’ sharp skill and analytical approach to the game is a crowning addition to Syracuse’s long history as a respected, feared, and formidable team with an iron-clad defense.

Born February 7, 1994, Sykes hails from Newark, New Jersey. Both musically and academically inclined, Sykes plays bass drum and trumpet, and performed at Carnegie Hall with her jazz ensemble while still only in high school. Growing up, she was a huge fan of Kristi Toliver, who played for the University of Maryland. Toliver’s legendary ability to perform under pressure is exemplified in the 2006 NCAA National Championship Game, when only a freshman, tied the game with a stunning 3-point against Duke with only seconds left on the clock, forcing it into overtime. Duke, who people were betting on as the champion, went down to Maryland leading to the school’s first championship in women’s basketball.

This is why Brittney wears #20 – an homage to Toliver, who played as that number.

Just as cool under pressure, Sykes has a history of commanding the court. Having won Shot of the Year at the ‘Cuse Awards for her 50-foot buzzer-beater defeating St. John’s on January 23, 2017, she was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll for the week of Jan. 28th after notching 14 points and grabbing six rebounds at Villanova. A communications major, Sykes has her sights set on broadcasting, with a goal of being an analyst at ESPN. She ranks in the top 5 of Syracuse’s entire history with a mind-blowing 1, 737 points scored, 633 field goals, 132 starts, 385 free throws and 258 career steals.

And that kind of record is something we’re sure Dr. James Naismith himself would be pretty chuffed about.

Catch Brittney Sykes, Alexis Peterson and Coach Q teaching co-hosts Emily Fulford and Olympic dual-Gold medallist Carolyn Waldo the ins and outs of basketball one-on-one, only on GO/NITRO. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.