Let’s be honest, when the 2022 WNBA Draft rolled around, most people were focused on the lottery picks and the high-profile college stars.
We often overlook the players who do the gritty, unglamorous work that wins championships.
Brittney Sykes is one of those players. But there’s a catch.
She flew under the radar but has quietly become a vital piece for the Las Vegas Aces. But there’s a catch.
From what I’ve seen, she brings a level of hustle that is often missing in modern sports coverage.
Who is Brittney Sykes?
Brittney Sykes is an American professional basketball player currently in the WNBA.
She was selected seventh overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2022 WNBA draft.
Before turning pro, she spent five years with the Syracuse Orange women’s basketball team.
It’s rare to see a player stay at one school for that long and still have so much to prove at the next level.
Sykes is known for her versatility, playing both guard positions and offering a bit of size that not all shooting guards possess.
She grew up in New York, and it seems like that East Coast grit has stuck with her.
There’s a certain toughness to her game that you just can’t teach.
You see it in how she drives to the basket and how she handles pressure on defense.
The Syracuse Career
Sykes played at Syracuse from 2017 to 2022.
For a long time, people thought she might leave early, especially after a strong freshman season.
But she stayed, and honestly, it paid off.
By her senior year, she was one of the top players in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Her numbers at Syracuse were solid but not eye-popping.
However, look at the context.
She put up around 13-15 points a game while defending the best guards on other teams.
That’s a grind.
Most fans look at points per game, but serious analysts know that a player who locks down the opposing team’s best scorer is just as valuable.
She was the engine that kept Syracuse competitive in a tough conference.
Entering the WNBA
When the Aces picked her up, expectations were reasonable.
They didn’t expect her to be a franchise-alterer, but rather a reliable rotation player who could provide energy and scoring off the bench.
In her rookie year, she had to adapt to a much faster pace of play and much smarter defenders.
She didn’t start immediately, which is standard for rookies.
But once she got her footing, she became a fixture in the lineup.
It’s fascinating to watch a player like her adjust.
She has a natural feel for the game, even if she isn’t the flashiest athlete on the court.
Playing Style & Strengths
What makes Brittney Sykes tick? It’s her all-around game.
She isn’t a one-trick pony.
- Defense: This is her calling card.
She has long arms and quick feet.
She can guard point guards or shooting guards with ease.
- Ball Handling: She can push the ball in transition.
This is huge for the Aces, who love to run.
- Scoring: She’s not a volume shooter, but she makes every shot count.
She has a nice mid-range pull-up and can get to the rim.
One thing I noticed is that she doesn’t take bad shots.
She lets the game come to her.
This kind of efficiency is rare in young players.
It suggests she has good basketball IQ, even if she doesn’t always look the part of a superstar on highlights.
Brittney Sykes Career Stats
Tracking stats for a player who comes off the bench is tricky because they vary from game to game.
However, looking at her college career gives a good baseline.
- Points Per Game (College): Around 14.5
- Rebounds Per Game (College): Around 5.0
- Assists Per Game (College): Around 3.0
Those are numbers that translate to the professional level. Here’s the interesting part.
With the Aces, her role has shifted slightly, focusing more on spacing and defense.
If you are checking up on her progress this season, look at her usage rate and her defensive rating.
Those two numbers tell the true story of her impact.
If you are into fantasy basketball, Sykes is a sneaky good pickup for deeper leagues.
She doesn’t always post triple-doubles, but she contributes in multiple categories.
She can get steals and rebounds, which is gold for fantasy managers.
Why She Matters to the Aces
The Las Vegas Aces are already stacked.
They have someone like Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray.
Why do they need Brittney Sykes? Depth.
In a long season, injuries happen.
You need players who can step in and not miss a beat.
Sykes provides that depth.
She also brings a veteran presence to the locker room, even though she is young.
Players like her often get overlooked in the media, but the coaches love her work ethic.
It’s the kind of intangible asset that helps a team win in the playoffs.
What’s Next for Brittney Sykes?
It feels like she is just scratching the surface.
She has the physical tools to be a starter in this league.
It’s just a matter of time before teams realize they need to gameplan specifically to stop her. But there’s a catch.
Once she becomes a bigger focal point of the offense, her scoring numbers are going to go up.
For now, she remains a favorite among fans who appreciate hard work.
It’s always refreshing to see a player who isn’t concerned with social media buzz, but instead focuses on getting better every single practice.
If you want to see high-level basketball, keep an eye on her defensive rotations.
They are textbook.
Ultimately, Brittney Sykes is the type of player you want on your team.
She plays hard, she plays smart, and she doesn’t care about the stats.
That’s rare in professional sports these days.
And if you’re looking to upgrade your own gear for the season, checking out the latest basketball shoes for guards might give you a little extra lift on your drive to the hoop.
She still has a lot of runway ahead of her.
The sky is the limit for Brittney, provided she stays healthy.
Image source: pexels.com
Image source credit: pexels.com
