GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The Green Bay men’s basketball program will honor one of the greatest players in its history this upcoming season, head coach Doug Gottlieb confirmed to Local 5 Sports’ Kyle Malzhan.
The Phoenix will retire Keifer Sykes’ jersey on October 11 during an exhibition game against Bradley University. The game carries added significance, as Bradley is coached by former Green Bay head coach Brian Wardle, who led the Phoenix during Sykes’ collegiate career.
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In addition to having his jersey retired, Sykes will reportedly serve as the program’s first-ever general manager under head coach Doug Gottlieb for the upcoming 2025–26 season.
Sykes played at Green Bay from 2011 to 2015 and was inducted into UWGB’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023. During his four seasons with the Phoenix, he was named Horizon League Player of the Year twice (2014, 2015) and scored 2,096 points.
The Phoenix will start their season on the road at the hallowed Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, against legendary Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks on November 3.
