Syracuse, N.Y. ― Kiyan Anthony, son of Syracuse basketball legend Carmelo Anthony, has chosen to continue his family legacy by committing to Syracuse University.
The 6-foot-5 guard announced his decision on his father’s podcast, “7PM in Brooklyn,” with both Carmelo and his mother, La La, by his side.
Kiyan cited Syracuse’s coaching staff, the addition of other top recruits, the close proximity to his New York home, and the opportunity to play a competitive schedule featuring powerhouses like Duke and North Carolina as factors in his choice.
“All of that played a role in why I chose Syracuse,” Kiyan said. After sharing his decision, he embraced his parents.
“I’m overwhelmed,” La La shared. “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.”
A top-40 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, Kiyan selected Syracuse over the University of Southern California. He came close to committing to USC during a visit to Los Angeles last month but decided to reflect further before finalizing his choice.
His commitment bolsters Syracuse’s 2025 recruiting class, which now ranks No. 6 nationally according to 247Sports, behind Duke, Connecticut, Kentucky, Notre Dame, and Mississippi State.
By joining Syracuse, Kiyan becomes one of the most anticipated recruits in the program’s history, combining elite basketball skills with the Anthony family’s star power. His decision also pays tribute to his father’s legacy at Syracuse.
Carmelo Anthony, though he played just one season at Syracuse, led the Orange to the 2003 NCAA championship, recording 22.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game—both freshman records for the program. He earned consensus All-America honors, was a first-team All-Big East selection, and was named Big East Freshman of the Year. In 2013, Syracuse retired his No. 15 jersey, raising it 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 recently shared on “League Ready,” a YouTube channel focused on high school basketball, that during his visit to Syracuse last year, the coaching staff brought out a game-worn Carmelo Anthony jersey—an homage to the deep connection the Anthony family has with the university.
On Friday’s podcast, Carmelo mentioned that as Kiyan’s list of preferred schools narrowed to three, Auburn made a strong push, and USC stood out for its NBA-oriented culture, sunny weather, and Coach Eric Musselman’s offensive style.
When asked what ultimately set Syracuse apart, Carmelo interjected, clarifying, “It wasn’t the bag,” referring to NIL deals. He acknowledged that NIL money is part of the modern game but emphasized that Kiyan’s decision was a genuine choice, based on a comprehensive understanding of Syracuse’s offerings.
Carmelo’s legacy was a constant presence during the recruitment process. “My message to him was, don’t be afraid of it. Embrace it,” Carmelo said, urging Kiyan to build his own following separate from those who had watched Carmelo’s historic run.
“You have an opportunity to carve out a whole new fan base,” Carmelo added. “What you can do with that community and that university … it’s a whole new fan base and community that he’s building.”
Kiyan is set to play at the JMA Wireless Dome and practice in a facility named after his father—the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center. (The “K” stands for Kiyan, which is also Carmelo’s middle name.) La La noted on the podcast that she and Carmelo deliberately chose not to name their son Carmelo, allowing him to establish his own identity.
Carmelo’s significant donation to Syracuse funded the center, and his son’s presence at the university could raise the program’s national profile, draw more primetime TV exposure, attract donor funds for top recruits, and ensure that Carmelo remains a regular fixture at Syracuse games and in the local community.
Kiyan, a senior at Long Island Lutheran High School, has climbed in the recruiting rankings over the past year. ESPN.com now ranks him at No. 36 for the 2025 class, up from No. 52. On3.com lists him at No. 30, while 247Sports ranks him at No. 34.
Throughout his recruitment, Kiyan also considered Auburn, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Florida State. Syracuse’s 2025 recruiting class is bolstered by other notable commits, including Sadiq White, a 6-8 forward from Charlotte attending IMG Academy; Aaron Womack, a 6-5 guard from Milwaukee; and Luke Fennell, a 6-6 guard from Melbourne, Australia.
