Kiyan Anthony, the son of Syracuse basketball legend Carmelo Anthony, has announced that he will follow in his father’s footsteps and play for Syracuse University.
The 6-foot-5 guard revealed his decision on his father’s podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, alongside Carmelo and his mother, La La. Kiyan explained that he was drawn to Syracuse by the potential of the team, the strength of the coaching staff, the incoming talent, and the university’s location close to his home in New York. Additionally, he was excited about the opportunity to compete in the ACC, facing top teams like Duke and North Carolina.
“All of that factored into my decision,” Kiyan said.
After making his announcement, Kiyan shared an emotional hug with his parents. La La expressed her pride and joy, saying, “I’m overwhelmed. I’m happy because he’s happy. It’s big shoes to fill, but this is his moment to create his own path.”
A consensus top-40 recruit in the 2025 class, Kiyan chose Syracuse over the University of Southern California. He revealed that during a visit to USC last month, he nearly committed but needed more time to reflect on his choice.
Kiyan’s commitment strengthens Syracuse’s already impressive 2025 recruiting class, which is now ranked No. 6 nationally by 247Sports.
The 17-year-old’s decision is significant for Syracuse, as he becomes one of the most highly anticipated recruits in the program’s history due to his combination of basketball talent and the high-profile legacy of his father, who led the Orange to a national championship in 2003. Carmelo Anthony was a standout at Syracuse for one season, earning All-America honors and the Big East Freshman of the Year award.
Syracuse retired Carmelo’s No. 15 jersey in 2013, and La La noted that while there was speculation about Carmelo influencing Kiyan’s decision, there was “zero pressure” from him to choose Syracuse.
Kiyan reflected on a memorable moment during his visit to Syracuse last year, when the coaching staff presented him with a game-worn Carmelo jersey, highlighting the family’s deep connection to the program.
As Kiyan narrowed his choices down to three schools, he considered Auburn, USC, and Syracuse, with the latter offering the strongest appeal. Carmelo spoke on the decision-making process, emphasizing that it wasn’t about money or NIL deals, but about the genuine opportunity Syracuse provided.
“I told him, don’t be afraid of the legacy,” Carmelo shared. “Embrace it. You have the chance to build your own fan base, your own story.”
Kiyan’s arrival at Syracuse is a full-circle moment for the family, as he will practice in the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center, a facility named after both father and son. La La also explained that they intentionally chose not to name their son Carmelo, giving him the freedom to forge his own identity.
With Kiyan joining Syracuse, the program’s national profile is set to rise even further, potentially attracting more exposure, donations, and top-tier recruits.
Kiyan, who currently attends Long Island Lutheran High School, has rapidly climbed the recruiting rankings. After being ranked No. 52 by ESPN last year, he is now No. 36 in their 2025 class. Other major recruiting outlets have him in the top 30.
Throughout his recruitment, Kiyan also considered Auburn, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Florida State. In addition to Kiyan, Syracuse’s 2025 class also includes Sadiq White, a 6-8 forward from Charlotte; Aaron Womack, a 6-5 guard from Milwaukee; and Luke Fennell, a 6-6 guard from Melbourne, Australia.
