Kiyan Anthony: The Future of High School Basketball
Kiyan Anthony, the name already resonating through the halls of Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, New York, is making waves in the world of high school basketball. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-5, Kiyan is not merely riding the coattails of his famous father, NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony, but is carving out his own legacy on the court.
Regarded as a four-star recruit and the No. 36 prospect in the 2025 rankings, the young Anthony is living up to the high expectations that come with his surname. Kiyan's prowess was on full display in April, when he scored 15 points at Rucker Park, one of the sport’s most iconic playgrounds. This performance is a testament to his skills and potential, drawing attention from some of the nation’s top college basketball programs.
His Own Path
Kiyan Anthony’s list of potential colleges reads like a who’s who of NCAA basketball: Auburn, USC, Florida State, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Syracuse are all vying for his commitment. Despite the high-profile interest from multiple programs, the decision of where to play college basketball remains his own.
"[My father] never pushes me to go to Syracuse just because his name is on the gym. He did so much at Syracuse. He knows that I'm my own person. I've just got to make my own decision at the end of the day," Kiyan shared, reflecting on the influence of his father, Carmelo Anthony, who famously led Syracuse to the 2003 national championship as a freshman and has contributed substantial sums to the university’s basketball facilities.
The young athlete is acutely aware of the expectations that come with his family’s legacy. Yet, he is unwavering in his desire to make the best choice for himself. "Even though I know basically the whole world wants me to go to Syracuse, I still haven't made the decision yet and I still have to talk to the coaches some more and really get into detail -- like what other players are coming, how they want me to play, how I'll be coached and stuff like that," Kiyan explained.
Family Influence
While his father’s accomplishments are publicly celebrated, Kiyan attributes much of his support and motivation to his mother. "I would say everybody sees when the cameras are on [my dad] and then they're on me because I'm playing good, but I would say my mom does a lot more background stuff," Kiyan said.
"When I'm going through something or I need somebody to talk to, my mom is definitely the person. And she's the one who really pushes me to get in the gym, even if I don't want to. To go to school and stay on top of my grades and stuff like that," he added, highlighting the critical role she plays in his development as both an athlete and a student.
A Bright Future
As Kiyan completes his high school career and prepares to select a college, he acknowledges the importance of his parents' guidance. "So I still have to finish up my visits, and then, ultimately, just make a decision. I will rely on my parents a lot with their advice and how they think a school fits me," Kiyan noted.
However, the decision will ultimately be his own, driven by his ambitions and goals. "My friends maybe not having the same opportunities as I have, I'm the one that's tried to bring them along with me. I don't want to make them feel left out," Kiyan expressed, showing a maturity and sense of responsibility that goes beyond the basketball court.
Whether he follows in his father's footsteps to Syracuse or blazes a new trail at one of the other prestigious programs on his list, one thing is clear: Kiyan Anthony is poised to make a significant impact in college basketball. "If it is Syracuse -- I go there a lot and I practice, I work out there -- if it is that, that's what it is. But he's never going to say, 'You gotta go to Syracuse. You gotta go there because I went there.' He's not going to make me follow in his footsteps unless I really want to," Kiyan emphasized.
Kiyan Anthony's journey is just beginning, but his determination to forge his own path while embracing the support of his family suggests that the young phenom's star will continue to rise, wherever he chooses to play.