Fresno City College phenom forward Josh Sykes is in his second season on the Rams basketball team. Sykes recently accepted a scholarship offer to attend and play basketball next season for

Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.The way Sykes ended up at FCC is quite interesting. Fresno wasn’t necessarily his first choice to attend to play ball.

“Back in 7th grade, coach Madec was recruiting my brother. My brother did not take that offer and so senior year of high school I kept thinking about where I was going to,” he said.

“At first I was leaning towards going to Sonora. Last year, before I committed, our assistant coach, coach Fletcher, he asked me if I wanted to be recruited by coach Madec and I said ‘oh yeah, this would be a good opportunity for me’,” Sykes added.

Through nine games this year, Sykes is averaging 6.8 points per game(ppg) and five rebounds along with a very healthy three blocks per contest.

He received offers to play at Memphis University and West Virginia University.

Sykes recalled why he chose to go and play for LMU. “When I went on my visit, I had a really good time. I thought it was the right place to go. A place that I could get my education and that isn’t too far from home.”

Those around Sykes aren’t concerned about his prospects of playing well when he leaves FCC to go down south. Sykes received much praise for his abilities from both his coaches and his teammates.

“Defensively, he can protect the rim like no other. He averages about 3 or 4 blocks a game. He’s hard for the other team to deal with,” said assistant coach Sultan Toles-Bey, a former Rams player himself.

Rams guard Gauge Bishop, who is in his grace year and hasn’t played this season, heaped praise upon his teammates game. “He is one of the focal points of the offense. If we really need a basket he’s one of the guys we would go to,” Bishop said.

Sykes majors in business, but that is only his plan if he isn’t able to accomplish the loftier goals on his mind. “My major is business and management. I would like to be a Purchasing Manager but that’s only if I can’t get into the NBA.”

That might sound unrealistic to many, but not to Toles-Bey. “Somebody with his size and his athletic ability, he’s got professional jumping ability and professional size,” he said.

“If he stays diligent and continues to work hard hard, not get big headed, definitely he can make it,” Toles-Bey added.

Once the season is over and Sykes leaves, there’s one thing that Fresno City fans should be able to count on, and that is that his name will not be forgotten if he has his way.