Kiyan Anthony commits to Syracuse following Melo’s footsteps

Like father, like son. Pour one for Kiyan!

Kiyan Anthony, the son of future Hall of Famer and forever New York Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony, has committed to Syracuse University.

For those feeling lost, Melo attended ‘Cuse for a single season and built the first steps of a legendary career right there. He etched his name in NCAA history by leading the Orangemen to their one and only championship back in 2003 as a true freshman before declaring for the NBA draft.

Kiyan made the announcement during a special episode of his pops’ 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, where Young Anthony was joined by his parents, Carmelo and La La Anthony, as well as co-host The Kid Mero, to share the decision.

Kiyan, a 17-year-old senior at Long Island Lutheran High School, is one of the top recruits in the Class of 2025, ranked No. 36 on ESPN’s Top 100. Anthony is considered one of the best pure scorers in the country.

Melo’s son had offers from several high-profile programs, including USC, Auburn, Indiana, and Michigan, but ultimately chose Syracuse for its basketball tradition and his personal connection to the program.

“Ultimately, it came down to my relationship with the staff,” Kiyan said. “From day one, when they started recruiting me, they made me feel like it was family.

“My dad’s name on the facility is special, but 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.”

Not only did Melo win ‘Cuse the chip, but he was also named both an All-American and the NCAA Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

For Kiyan, following in his father’s footsteps comes with immense expectations, but it doesn’t sound like the kid is afraid of them.

“I’m going to do everything Coach [Adrian] Autry needs me to do,” Kiyan said. “We talk a lot, especially late at night, about how we can make Syracuse basketball great. Off the court, Coach is super cool. You could go out with him on a Friday night. He’s still young and connects with all his players; he is very relatable.”

Head coach Adrian Autry, who took over the program in 2023, is leading a shift aimed at restoring Syracuse to national prominence. The Orangemen have not reached the NCAA tournament since 2021, failing to do so under Jim Boeheim for two years after Adrian Autry’s failure last season added to the skid.

“All that played a part into why I chose Syracuse,” Kiyan said. He also mentioned the high-profile matchups of Syracuse with NCAA blue-bloods Duke and North Carolina as another important factor in his decision.

Kiyan also highlighted how the national spotlight will benefit both his development and that of his teammates, as they aim to elevate Syracuse back to the top tier of college basketball while building strong resumes before jumping—hopefully—to the NBA or any other pro league.

“This is my dad’s legacy, but it’s also about what I can bring,” Anthony said. “I know the expectations, and I’m ready to work hard to meet them.”

Good luck, Kiy. We’re waiting for you in NYC!