Melo Jr. Mania? Kiyan Anthony Already Turning Heads
Alright, Orange Nation, get your jerseys ready! There's a new Anthony in town, and the hype train is officially leaving the station!
The whispers are getting louder, folks. According to a national hoops scribe, Syracuse basketball's prized 2025 signee, Kiyan Anthony, is already a freshman to keep a very close eye on next season! Yes, we're talking about the son of 'Cuse legend and recent Hall of Famer, Carmelo Anthony. The bloodline is strong, and the buzz is building!
This 6-foot-5 four-star shooting guard is a key cog in the Orange's impressive four-man 2025 recruiting class, which currently sits at a solid No. 10 nationally according to the 247Sports Composite. Recently, CBS Sports' Cameron Salerno dropped an article highlighting eight freshmen to monitor in the upcoming 2025-26 campaign. While most of the names were top-10 national prospects, Salerno made sure to include Kiyan Anthony, who, let's not forget, absolutely cooked at the Jordan Brand Classic last month.
Salerno didn't shy away from the obvious comparison, writing, "It's unlikely the younger Anthony will replicate the success his father had during one of the greatest one-and-done seasons in college basketball history." Fair point. But he also emphasized Kiyan's potential impact: "...the 6-foot-5 guard should have a chance to impact winning for a program that has fallen on tough times in recent years... The Orange have missed the NCAA Tournament in four consecutive seasons. This could be a make-or-break year for coach Adrian Autry. Anthony is a skilled shotmaker capable of being a primary option on offense. His upcoming season at Syracuse will be one to monitor."
Look, on paper, Syracuse's 2025 high school class is legit. But the real question is how much burn will Kiyan Anthony get in Adrian Autry's rotation? On one hand, the kid is a threat from beyond the arc. If the 'Cuse wants a real shot at dancing in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, they desperately need to improve their three-point shooting after a rough 2024-25. Anthony could be the answer.
On the other hand, the Orange's roster is currently sitting at 12 scholarship players after the recent commitment of Cincinnati transfer Tyler Betsey, and that includes a decent number of guards and wings. Anthony had a strong senior season for powerhouse Long Island Lutheran, a consensus top-10 national high school team. He's proven he can play at a high level.
The Rankings Don't Lie: Kiyan's Legit!
In case you needed further proof that Kiyan Anthony isn't just riding his dad's coattails, check out his final 2025 rankings from the major recruiting services:
247Sports Composite: No. 33 overall, No. 7 SG, No. 1 in New York
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 33 overall, No. 11 SG, No. 1 in New York
247Sports: No. 32 overall, No. 7 SG, No. 1 in New York
ESPN: No. 35 overall, No. 8 SG, No. 1 in New York
On3: No. 29 overall, No. 10 SG, No. 1 in New York
Consistently ranked as a top-35 national prospect and the best player in New York? Yeah, this kid's got game.
Our Take:
The hype surrounding Kiyan Anthony is real, and for good reason. He's a talented scorer with a pedigree that's impossible to ignore. While expecting him to be "Melo 2.0" right away is unfair, he definitely has the tools to make an immediate impact for a Syracuse team hungry to get back to the Big Dance. Keep your eyes glued to the Carrier Dome next season, folks. The Kiyan Anthony era is about to begin, and it could be electric!
