College
Rutgers University
Pro
WNBA
Highlights
April Sykes is a 6’1″, Guard/Forward from Starkville, Mississippi who played her college basketball at Rutgers University. Attended East Oktibbeha County High School in Crawford, Mississippi and led the Mississippi High School Athletic Association in scoring as a junior and senior (2006-07 and 2007-08). As a senior in 2007-08, averaged 25.5 ppg., 10.6 rpg. and 2.0 bpg. Had five 40-plus point games as a junior in 2006-07. As a sophomore in 2005-06, averaged 32.0 ppg. and 14 rpg. Averaged 29.8 ppg., 11.0 rpg. and 5.0 bpg. as a freshman in 2004-05. (2005, 2006). Street & Smith’s All-America second team and MaxPreps All-America in 2005-06. Named all-state first team and to The Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen three times (2006, 2007, 2008).
McDonald’s and WBCA All-American in 2008. Parade Magazine All-America first team in 2008. USA Today All-USA second team in 2008. Gatorade Mississippi Player of the Year in 2008.
Named as a member of the 2011 USA Basketball Women’s Pan American Games Team on Sept. 27, 2011. Named as a finalist for the 2011 USA Women’s World University Games Team on May 25, 2011. Particpated in the 2011 USA Women’s World University Games Team Trials in May in Colorado Springs, Colo. Participated in the 2008 USA U18 National Team Trials. All-Big East second team (2011). As a junior in 2010-11 started in 32 of 33 games played and averaged a team-high 14.1 ppg. to go along with 4.2 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.3 spg. in 33.2 mpg. to help Rutgers to a 20-13 record and the NCAA Tournament second round.
Scored a career high 32 points against Boston College in 2010-11. As a sophomore in 2009-10, started in 11 of 34 games played and averaged 5.6 ppg., 3.5 rpg. and 1.2 apg. to help her team to a 19-15 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Recorded in 2009-10 six double-digit scoring outings; led all scorers for the first time in her career with 16 points in a win over Boston College.
As a freshman in 2008-09, started in two of 30 games played and averaged 3.2 ppg. and 2.1 rpg. in 13.1 mpg. to help her team to a 21-13 record and the NCAA Touranment Regional Semifinals. Played in her first NCAA Tournament game against VCU on March 21, 2009.
Sykes was drafted 28th overall in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.
