Kiyan Anthony is set to carry on his family legacy by joining the basketball program at Syracuse University. This announcement was made official on Friday, two years after the school extended a scholarship offer to him. Kiyan, a promising shooting guard from Long Island Lutheran High, is the son of NBA star Carmelo Anthony.
Standing at 6-foot-5, Kiyan has earned a reputation as one of the top recruits not only in New York but also nationally. Syracuse faced competition from teams like Southern California, Auburn, and several others in securing Kiyan’s commitment. “At the end of the day, only one could stay,” he disclosed during his father’s podcast, “7PM in Brooklyn,” amidst the presence of his mother, La La Anthony. He then proudly donned a Syracuse cap and embraced his parents, signifying his decision. “Now we can get to working,” remarked Carmelo, while La La expressed relief, stating, “I can breathe now.”
Throughout the summer, Kiyan showcased his skills on the Nike EYBL circuit, playing for Team Melo, a program co-founded by his father. He averaged nearly 20 points per game and displayed impressive performances, particularly at New York’s renowned Rucker Park, where he played in front of several former NBA luminaries. La La shared insight into the training dynamics, emphasizing her rigorous approach to coaching her son, stating, “I’m harder on him when it comes to basketball than his dad is.”
Kiyan’s decision to join Syracuse has been widely anticipated, mirroring his father’s journey during the 2003 NCAA season when Carmelo led the Orange to their national championship victory. The basketball office and practice facility at Syracuse are named the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center, honoring his father’s generous $3 million donation towards its construction.
Carmelo Anthony left an enduring legacy in his single season at Syracuse, where he averaged 22.2 points and 10 rebounds per game. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four during their championship run and received accolades as the national freshman of the year and a second-team All-American selection.
Following his college tenure, Carmelo enjoyed a successful 19-year NBA career, participating in ten All-Star games and achieving an impressive career scoring average of 22.5 points. He remains tenth on the all-time scoring list and was acknowledged as part of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team. Additionally, he earned three gold medals with USA Basketball, recently attending the Paris Games alongside Kiyan as they celebrated another Olympic victory.
In addition to his basketball commitments, Kiyan has begun to establish his brand through name, image, and likeness deals. He has also engaged in business ventures and worked with well-known basketball trainer Chris Brickley, whose clientele includes stars like LeBron James.
