In a move that is sure to excite college basketball fans, especially those partial to the Orange, Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA superstar and Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony, has announced his commitment to play for Syracuse University. The highly-touted recruit chose the Orange over other finalists, including USC and Auburn.
A Legacy Continues
Kiyan Anthony’s decision to play for Syracuse comes as little surprise given his father’s iconic status with the program. Carmelo Anthony led Syracuse to its only national championship in 2003 during his lone collegiate season before becoming the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. The elder Anthony went on to a decorated NBA career, being named an All-Star ten times and earning a spot on the league’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Now, his son looks to forge his own path at the school that launched his father’s Hall of Fame career. A 6-foot-5 shooting guard out of Long Island Lutheran High School, Kiyan is rated as a top-40 recruit in the class of 2025 and is known as one of the best pure scorers in the country.
Carving His Own Path
While the family connection to Syracuse is undeniable, Kiyan emphasized that he wants to create his own legacy with the Orange. In an interview announcing his decision, the younger Anthony noted:
“I want to go in there and create my own name, and I’ve already done that through my dedication in the offseason, with early-morning practices, playing at camps, playing on the circuit.”
Kiyan also highlighted his strong relationship with new Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry as a key factor in his decision. Autry took over the program this offseason after longtime coach Jim Boeheim retired.
A Prolific Scorer
On the court, Kiyan Anthony has already drawn comparisons to his famous father for his scoring prowess. He averaged 19.6 points on the competitive Nike EYBL circuit in the spring, tallying 25 or more points in four of 15 games. His scoring ability was on full display at the prestigious Nike Peach Jam tournament over the summer, where he posted 21.8 points per game and shot 37.3% from three-point range.
While his offensive game is undoubtedly his calling card, Kiyan recognizes the need to continue improving as an all-around player, particularly on the defensive end. His high school coach, John Buck, praised Anthony’s work ethic and growth, telling reporters:
“Kiyan has been a joy to coach. He is hard working, eager to learn and has developed into a strong leader here at LuHi. His gift for scoring the ball is undeniable, yet he has shown great improvement on the defensive end of the floor as well.”
Elevating the Orange
Anthony’s commitment could prove to be a program-altering addition for Syracuse. His pledge has the potential to vault the Orange’s 2025 recruiting class into the top 10 nationally. He joins fellow highly-touted prospects like five-star forward Sadiq White, three-star wing Aaron Womack, and Australian big man Luke Fennell in what is shaping up to be a stellar class for Autry in his first full recruiting cycle as head coach.
The thought of suiting up in the Carrier Dome is an enticing one for the younger Anthony, who grew up watching his dad’s collegiate highlights. As he envisions his own Syracuse career, Kiyan can’t help but dream of bringing the program back to the heights it reached under his father’s leadership nearly two decades ago:
“When I think of Syracuse basketball, I think of the 30,000 fans going crazy in the Dome. We want to give Syracuse basketball our best. With Sadiq White and the rest of my teammates, we’ll put on a show for the fans at Syracuse.”
As Kiyan Anthony prepares to begin his own journey at Syracuse, the college basketball world eagerly awaits the next chapter in the Anthony family’s Orange legacy. While expectations will undoubtedly be high given his pedigree, the talented scorer appears more than ready to step out of his famous father’s shadow and etch his own name into Syracuse lore.
