Brittney Sykes Bio: Net Worth, Contract, Achievements and Professional Life

When we speak of defense in the WNBA, Brittney Sykes is one of the names that is highlighted significantly. With four WNBA All-Defensive honors to her name, she started making a name for herself right from her rookie year in the league. If one were to draw comparisons of her player profile, fans might find many similarities between her and the two-time NBA champion, Jrue Holiday.

She was able to rise to prominence at Syracuse University, also overcame ACL injuries to become a first team All ACC player and the highest drafted woman in the history Syracuse (7th overall in 2017). An immediate impact in the WNBA, she earned All Rookie honors in 2017 and quickly became one of the league's top perimeter defenders, posting 4 straight All-Defensive team selections from the year 2020 to the year 2023. A seasoned player, she delivered a career high of 20.5 points per game in 2025 while maintaining elite defense.

This article dives deeper into Brittney Sykes’ life and career and provides deeper insight into how she evolved into the stellar WNBA guard she is today.

Brittney Sykes' Early Life

Sykes was born on February 7, 1994, to Michael and Regina Sykes in Newark, New Jersey. She has two elder brothers and attended high school at the University High School in Newark. Brittney Sykes' early life information includes her among the best players on her high school basketball team. Sykes’ performances on the court had started garnering national attention ever since she was in high school. She was selected to participate in the McDonald’s All-American game in 2012 and was also part of Team USA Basketball’s U18 national squad.

Sykes emerged as a four-star recruit from high school, with averages of 18.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in her senior year. She had offers from colleges such as Georgetown, Penn State, and Notre Dame, but she committed to Syracuse in 2012.

Though Sykes was at Syracuse for five years, she could only play four seasons in college due to a knee injury. She mostly played as a shooting guard or a small forward for the Orange. In her 138 total games for Syracuse, Sykes averaged 13.4 points, 1.9 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game.

She finished her collegiate career by becoming the No.3 ranked SU women’s basketball for scoring 1846 career points. She also earned other laurels, such as All-American honors and being named the most winningest Syracuse Orange women’s basketball player, with 101 wins.

Beyond the dominance she has on-court, she is a beacon of academic excellence, that helped her attend the National Honor Society, additionally served on her student cabinet and also participated in Syracuse's MSG Varsity communications program. This reflects her resilience and strife for achieving better, highlighting the combination of her athletic talent and intellectual drive.

Brittney Sykes' Personal Information

Brittney Sykes’ skillset in both offensive and defensive ends is quite well known to everyone following the WNBA and women’s basketball. As a guard, she combines her bag to contribute on both sides of the floor on the court. Let’s deep dive into knowing what Sykes’ personal life looks like. Brittney Sykes personal information includes her having a great relationship with the basketball fraternity, given she is seen hanging around several noted NBA and WNBA names. She is good friends with New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, given they have known each other since college. Despite being from rival teams at both collegiate and professional levels, the two stars maintain a cordial and friendly relationship. Sykes was among many WNBA stars who raised objections to the league’s preferential treatment in granting chartered flights to WNBA teams.

Brittney Sykes' Parents

Brittney Sykes' parents are Regina and Michael Sykes. She is originally from Newark, New Jersey. Sykes’ mother, Regina, is an operations coordinator at Great Oaks Legacy Charter School. Meanwhile, her father, Michael Sykes, is his daughter’s number one hypeman and can be seen cheering for Brittney on his Instagram account, @sykes46. The names and details of her two older brothers are not known publicly.

Brittney Sykes' Wife

Sykes is a very private person and Brittney Sykes' Wife's information is not known. Although, according to the website Write Through The Night, Brittney Sykes seems to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, this year, Brittney made her relationship with her girlfriend, Meghan Medlock public. Her Instagram consists of substantial amount of posts with her. Meghan Medlock is an Atlanta realtor and entrepreneur.

Brittney Sykes' Contract

In February 2023, Brittney Sykes contract included her signing a fully guaranteed three-year deal with the Washington Mystics, valued at $575,000. The contract reflects her status as a high impact, veteran defensive guard in the WNBA. In 2023, she earned $190,000, followed by $200,000 in 2024, and is set to make $195,000 in the final year of the deal in 2025.

Known for her tenacity on defense and transition scoring, she has been a two-time All Defensive First Team honoree and plays a vital role in the Mystics' perimeter defense. Britney Sykes' Contract is categorized as a protected veteran contract, which means the team cannot waive her without full financial obligation. She is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, following the completion of this contract.

Brittney Sykes' Salary

Brittney Sykes' salary is earning a salary of $200,000 with the Washington Mystics, under a fully guaranteed three-year contract she signed in February 2023. The deal is valued at a total of $575,000, averaging approximately $191,667 per year, and includes protected status, meaning the Mystics are obligated to pay her even if she is waived. In 2025, which is the final year of her contract, Sykes is set to earn $195,000. She will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, giving her the option to explore other team opportunities or renegotiate with Washington. Data has been listed below from sportrac.

Brittney Sykes' Net Worth

Sykes is in the final year of her three year contract, $575K fully guaranteed deal with the Washington Mystics, earning $195,000 in 2025. Through 2025, her estimated total WNBA income is about $831,294. Brittney Sykes' net worth estimates around $1.5 million, primarily based on salary and minor endorsements. However, these figures are speculative and not confirmed by credible financial disclosures.

Brittney Sykes' Career

Brittney Sykes' career exploded as soon as she was selected as the 7th overall pick by the Atlanta Dream in the 2017 WNBA draft. Sykes’ rookie year was quite commendable, wherein she was named Rookie of the Month for July and August 2017 and finished second in the race to Rookie of the Year, losing the place to Alisha Gray.

She was nevertheless named to the WNBA All-Rookie team in 2017, and her 471 points was a new single season rookie record for the Dream franchise. After earning a place on the All-Rookie Team, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2020, where she emerged as a defensive powerhouse.

In 2023, she signed a three‑year fully guaranteed contract with the Washington Mystics, maintaining elite defensive presence and recording strong per-game numbers despite injury setbacks in 2024. Additionally, Sykes represented Team USA in 3×3 competition and won an Unrivaled 3×3 championship in 2025, showcasing her versatility.

Brittney Sykes' High School Career

Brittney Sykes’s high school career lasted in Newark and was marked by high-level performance, leadership, and national recognition. Averaging nearly 19 points and 13 rebounds as a senior, earning McDonald’s All-American honors, and leading her team to an Essex County championship display a player ready to excel at higher levels. Her athleticism and versatility caught national attention and set the stage for a successful career at Syracuse and into the WNBA.

Brittney Sykes' College Career

Brittney Sykes' college career starred at Syracuse University from 2012 to 2017, playing 138 games (starting 137) across four seasons—missing 2014–15 due to an ACL injury. She made an immediate impact, earning Big East All-Freshman Team honors in 2013. As a sophomore, Sykes’ scoring surged to 16.6 points per game, highlighted by a career-high 31 points against Virginia Tech in February 2014. Despite setbacks in 2014–15 (two ACL tears), she rebounded brilliantly. In her senior year (2016–17), Sykes averaged 19.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, and 2.2 SPG, earning First-Team All-ACC and ACC All-Defensive Team honors. She graduated as Syracuse’s third all-time leading scorer (1,846 points) and left a lasting legacy as a two-way force on both ends of the court.

Brittney Sykes' Professional Career

Brittney Sykes' professional career began when the Atlanta Dream selected her with the 7th overall pick in 2017. As a rookie, she earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team and set a franchise rookie scoring record with 471 points . In 2020, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, where her defense truly flourished—earning WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2020 and 2022, and First Team in 2021 . Sykes then signed a three-year, fully guaranteed deal with the Washington Mystics in February 2023, reflecting her defensive role and versatility. With the Mystics, she became a key two-way contributor, averaging 15.9 PPG, 5 RPG, 3.8 APG, and 2.1 SPG during the 2023 season. In 2025, she scored a career-high 32 points in a comeback win against Chicago and is averaging 20.6 PPG through mid-season, leading the team’s resurgence.

During the WNBA off-season, Sykes also tries out playing in the overseas leagues, like most players in the W. Her most notable stint overseas was in the Australian WNBL, where she was named Defensive Player of the Year and to the WNBL First-Team when she was playing for the Canberra Capitals in 2022. Sykes spent her off-season playing in Unrivalled, a 3×3 women’s basketball league established by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. She plays for Team Roses BC, featuring Chicago Sky sophomore Angel Reese on the roster.

Brittney Sykes' Awards and Achievements

Britney Sykes' awards and achievements include an array of recognition marked by consistent defensive excellence, offensive growth, and leadership across levels. Her rise began at University High in Newark, New Jersey, where she earned McDonald’s All-American honors in 2012, signaling early national potential. At Syracuse University, she was a standout, making the Big East All-Freshman Team in 2013. Drafted 7th overall in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream, Sykes immediately made an impact, securing a place on the WNBA All-Rookie Team. Her defensive prowess became more pronounced during her tenure with the Los Angeles Sparks, culminating in four WNBA All-Defensive Team selections—including First Team honors in 2021 and 2023. She led the league in total steals in both 2021 and 2022, underlining her elite perimeter defense. Off the court, Sykes continues to thrive in alternative formats, winning the inaugural Unrivaled 3×3 League Championship with Rose BC and representing the U.S. in the USA Basketball 3×3 AmeriCup roster in 2024. These achievements highlight her versatility, resilience, and evolving influence as one of the league's premier two-way guards.