July 29, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - When UCF played in the postseason College Basketball Invitational in March, Isaiah Sykes' all-around game was on display. The rookie small forward proved his value in nearly every facet of the game, helping the Knights win a pair of contests and close the campaign on a positive note.
Sykes averaged 9.0 points, a team-high 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 25.0 minutes per contest in the CBI. He shot 63.2 percent from the field during the event. In the Knights' final game of the year, Sykes totaled 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting and grabbed six rebounds at Creighton.
Now as he enters his sophomore year, Sykes is working hard to make sure that performances like the game at Creighton become the norm. He is focusing on improving his ball handling and shooting, and is pleased with the results so far.
"The workouts have been good. I have been working with (A.J.) Rompza on different occasions. I have been coming in late at night and working. I am just trying to get better. I have a lot more confidence," Sykes said.
A native of Detroit, Sykes averaged 4.0 points and 3.2 boards as a freshman. Like most rookies, he struggled with adjusting to the pace of the college game, and his numbers tailed off once UCF entered Conference USA play.
Having averaged 16.4 minutes a year ago, Sykes expects to be more comfortable with head coach Donnie Jones' offensive and defensive systems in 2011-12.
"I know what to expect. I know what the coaches want and what to do and what not to do. I am just getting comfortable and have more experience."
Rompza says he is impressed with the strides that Sykes has made during the offseason, and raves about his younger teammate's work ethic.
"His shot is improving drastically," Romzpa said. "He is getting to the basket. He is stronger. He is a gym rat. He is always working. His whole game has changed."
And if Sykes continues to play with the intensity he displayed during the CBI, those changes to his game could make things difficult for UCF's opponents.