Kiyan Anthony is making waves in the high school basketball scene, and his star is on the rise. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-5, the four-star recruit has already caught the attention of many college scouts with his skills on the court. Currently ranked as the No. 36 prospect in the 2025 class, Kiyan is making significant strides, following in the footsteps of his father, NBA legend Carmelo Anthony.
Bringing His Own Legacy
Playing for Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, New York, Kiyan has shown he has the chops to carve out his own niche. Just this past April, he put up 15 points at the iconic Rucker Park, solidifying his reputation as a player to watch. Despite carrying the weight of his father’s legacy, Kiyan is determined to make a name for himself. “My father never pushes me to go to Syracuse just because his name is on the gym," Kiyan shared. "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." This sentiment underlines his commitment to forge his own path, regardless of external expectations.
Exploring College Options
With a bevy of high-profile colleges showing interest, Kiyan has listed Auburn, USC, Florida State, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Syracuse as potential destinations. While the world may expect him to follow Carmelo’s footsteps to Syracuse, Kiyan remains undecided. "Even though I know basically the whole world wants me to go to Syracuse, I still haven't made the decision yet,” he explained. “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." Such thoughtful consideration indicates a maturity and a focus on fit, rather than fame.
The Influence of Family
Family plays a pivotal role in Kiyan’s life, especially his mother, who he credits for much of his off-court development. "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. “Like, 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."
This supportive family structure appears to be a bedrock for Kiyan, who also plans to rely on his parents' advice for his decision-making. "So I still have to finish up my visits, and then, ultimately, just make a decision," Kiyan noted. "I will rely on my parents a lot with their advice and how they think a school fits me."
Balancing Personal and Professional Goals
Despite striving to build his athletics career, Kiyan remains conscientious of his friends who might not have the same opportunities. "My friends maybe not having the same opportunities as I have, I'm the one that's tried to bring them along with me," he said, expressing a desire to ensure his success doesn’t isolate those close to him. "I don't want to make them feel left out."
With Syracuse always in the backdrop, given his father's storied history there, Kiyan remains open but not locked into making it his own. “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," Kiyan emphasized. "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 Anthony’s journey continues to attract significant attention as he makes strides both on and off the court. Balancing familial expectations, personal ambition, and professional prospects, this young athlete is poised to create a unique narrative in the world of basketball, much like his father did, yet inherently his own.