Kiyan Anthony, son of Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony, commits to Syracuse

Syracuse, N.Y. ― Kiyan Anthony, the son of Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony, will follow his father’s Nike-clad footsteps and play for Syracuse University.
Anthony, a 6-foot-5 guard, revealed his decision to attend Syracuse on his father’s podcast, “7PM in Brooklyn,” alongside Carmelo and his mother, La La.
Kiyan said he liked the potential of the Orange with the coaching staff, other top players coming in, the proximity to his home in New York and an opportunity to play a schedule that features national brands such as Duke and North Carolina in conference.
“All that played a part into why I chose Syracuse,” Kiyan said.
Immediately after announcing his decision, Kiyan hugged his mother and father.
“I’m overwhelmed,” La La said. “I’m happy because he’s happy.
“It’s big shoes to fill, but at the same time, this is his moment, his lane and his time to create his own reality.”
Anthony, a consensus top-40 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, picked Syracuse over the University of Southern California.
Kiyan said he nearly committed to USC on a visit last month while soaking up life in Los Angeles before having to think more on his decision.
His commitment further elevates a recruiting class that now ranks No. 6 nationally, according to 247Sports, behind Duke, Connecticut, Kentucky, Notre Dame and Mississippi State.
By choosing Syracuse, the 17-year-old Anthony instantly becomes one of the most anticipated recruits in program history due to his rare combination of high-level basketball skills and high-wattage name and celebrity.
Anthony’s decision to play for Syracuse may not have been a foregone conclusion, but it does bring full circle his father’s legacy in the Orange program.
Carmelo Anthony spent just one year at Syracuse, but he left his mark in the school’s record books as he helped Syracuse capture the 2003 NCAA championship. Anthony averaged 22.2 points and 10.0 rebounds, both records for a Syracuse freshman. He was a consensus All-America selection, a first-team All-Big East selection and the Big East’s Freshman of the Year.
In 2013, Syracuse officials honored Anthony, raising his No. 15 jersey to the rafters of the JMA Wireless Dome.
“I’m sure everyone assumed ‘Mel put the pressure on him,” La La said. “We just gave input and stepped back.
“There was zero pressure from his dad to go to Syracuse.”
Kiyan Anthony said on a recent appearance on “League Ready,” a YouTube channel covering high school basketball, that the Syracuse coaches pulled out a game-worn Carmelo jersey during Kiyan’s visit to campus last year, an homage to the history the Anthonys have with the school.
On Friday’s podcast, Anthony said as Kiyan’s list of preferred schools trimmed to three, Auburn came in “full force,” and USC stood out for its NBA culture, weather and offense under coach Eric Musselman.
When Kiyan was asked what gave Syracuse the edge, Carmelo interjected.
“It wasn’t the bag,” he said, referring to NIL.
“It could be a bag, because that’s just a game that we have to play. Those are side, different type of conversations. This was a real, actual, genuine decision as far as understanding every aspect of what is there, what’s happening and what could be.”
Carmelo’s legacy at Syracuse hovered over the process.
“My message to him was, don’t be afraid of it. Embrace it,” Carmelo said.
“Because the guys that looked at me and watched me are not your fans. You have an opportunity to carve out a whole new fan base.”
“You got a new fan base; you got energy. What you can do with that community and that university … it’s a whole ‘nother fan base and community that he’s building. He’s going to have to put his own pressure on himself.”
Now, Kiyan will soon play in the dome and practice in a building named after his father: the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center. (The K stands for Kiyan, also Carmelo’s middle name.)
La La said on the podcast she and Carmelo were intentional about not naming their son Carmelo, to allow him to forge his own name.
Carmelo donated money for the facility. His son’s presence on campus has the potential to raise the Orange’s profile nationally, attract more primetime TV appearances, bring in more donor money for top players and ensure Carmelo’s regular presence at games and around town.
A senior at Long Island Lutheran High School, Anthony has risen on the recruiting charts over the past year. A little over a year ago, ESPN.com had him at No. 52 in its rankings for the ‘25 class. He is now up to No. 36 on ESPN. Similarly, On3.com and 247Sports have him listed at No. 30 and No. 34, respectively.
Kiyan also considered Auburn, Ohio State, Rutgers and Florida State at different stages in his recruitment.
Syracuse’s other ‘25 commits include Sadiq White, a 6-8 forward from Charlotte, North Carolina, who is attending IMG Academy; Aaron Womack, a 6-5 guard from Milwaukee; and Luke Fennell, a 6-6 guard from Melbourne, Australia.
Contact Mike Waters anytime: Email | Twitter