Quentin Hillsman remembers watching 5-foot-9 Brittney Sykes practice during her senior year of high school, wondering if the rumors were true.

“I kept saying, ‘That girl can’t dunk the ball,’” the Syracuse head coach said. “And then, boom! Afterwards I teased her. I said, ‘But you traveled.’”

Hillsman, who admits Sykes can jump higher than he can, was immediately impressed, and knew the University (N.J.) High School star was a player who could give him minutes right away as a freshman.

Sykes’ athletic ability, high basketball IQ, and experience making the USA Basketball Under-18 National Team and McDonald’s All-American team immediately drew the Orange coaching staff her way. The second-team, All-USA guard was eager to start as a freshman and contribute immediately, so she signed with Syracuse. So far this season, Sykes has averaged nine points, five rebounds and more than two steals per game, energizing the Orange to a 19-3 start – the best in school history.

“Going through the process we were really, really honest with her,” Hillsman said. “I told her nothing would be given here and nothing would be easy, but if she did everything she needed to do, she would have a great opportunity to come here and play right away as a freshman. I knew she had a chance to be really, really good.”

And so far she has, as Hillsman said Sykes has exceeded his lofty expectations to start the season. She’s scored in double figures 10 times, including six in Big East play.

Being one of the youngest players on the court is something to which Sykes is fully accustomed. She remembers watching her older cousins Anthony, Kinzy and Auset play in her backyard all day and night, regardless of the weather.

Just 3 years old at the time, Sykes was immediately mesmerized by the game. One day, instead of watching from afar, she decided to jump in on the action.

“I just went outside, and I remember dribbling in the corner with my right hand and being a right-hand bandit, not knowing how to shoot,” Sykes said.

But from age 3 onward, Sykes spent hours playing pickup with her cousins, slowly but surely reaching their level, even beating Anthony – now in his 20s – a few times.

In fifth grade, when she started to distance herself from the competition, Sykes said classmates used to walk up to her and tell her how tough she was. Sykes appreciated the praise, but didn’t understand what made her tougher than anyone else.

“I was just playing,” Sykes said. “What do you mean I’m tough?”

She found out what they meant shortly thereafter. The next year, the blossoming star was the only sixth-grader to make the middle school team, playing with girls who were a few inches taller and had two more years of experience.

Middle school dominance turned into high school dominance as Sykes’ repertoire continued to expand. University head coach Felicia Oliver recalls seeing Sykes’ game take a substantial jump from her sophomore to senior season when dominant players graduated. Oliver told Sykes she could become one of the top players in the country, but she had to hit the gym.

“Once she decided she wanted to be a gym rat and work on all aspects of her game, coupled with her athleticism and drive, she took the country by storm,” Oliver said.

Sykes averaged 19 points, 13 rebounds and close to four assists as a senior, earning a spot on the New Jersey All-State team. Despite Sykes’ lack of size, Oliver said she played forward for much of her senior season. Sykes started toying with opponents, finishing around the basket with flair and ferocity, distancing herself from the competition.

Her accomplishments were recognized on a national level in no time, as she was named a McDonald’s All-American her senior season.

While playing on the team was an honor, Sykes said the best part of the process came off of the court, at a Ronald McDonald House.

She walked into the room and there sat Brandon Flaherty, a 13-year-old basketball fanatic who was unable to play due to serious health obstacles. Flaherty already had 11 surgeries at the time, and was deprived of his biggest passion, so Sykes scribed his name on the inside of her shoe.

“I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t play basketball,” Sykes said. “It just makes me grateful. I always read his letter he wrote to me when I feel like I’m taking it all for granted.”

The U.S. U-18 national team was next for Sykes. After earning a chance to try out, she started training with Rich Leary. Her hard work paid off, and she made the cut.

Unfortunately for Sykes, she was forced to head home for personal reasons in August, prior to the tournament. But she still looks back at the experience as incredibly rewarding.

So far at Syracuse, Sykes has made the most of her opportunity to contribute immediately for an Orange team in pursuit of an NCAA Tournament berth.

But one special moment stands out – Sykes’ buzzer-beater from beyond halfcourt that won the game for the Orange over St. John’s. Sykes said the Orange was in its “60” defense, which means switch on everything. She knew former high school teammate Nadirah McKenith would have the ball in her hands, so she switched with teammate Rachel Coffey and swarmed McKenith.

Sykes forced a deflection, scurried after the ball and picked it up, knowing she didn’t have much time.

“The 2.8 seconds felt like an eternity,” Sykes said. “I just grabbed it and I launched it. I’m looking at it, and when it hit the backboard, everything was silent. Then it went in, I just went crazy. I was like, ‘Oh my god, I just hit this shot.’”

The only way Sykes could ever top that highlight is by busting out a dunk in a game. She’s daydreamed about that possibility becoming a reality.

“Honestly, I just want to have a putback one game. I want to poster somebody,” Sykes said with her eyes widened. “Go (Brittney) Griner on ‘em. I watch the boys do it all the time, so I just want to poster somebody.

“Who knows?” she said with a smile. “Maybe next game.”

Published on February 11, 2013 at 11:30 pm

Contact Trevor: tbhass@syr.edu | @TrevorHass