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Kiyan Anthony, a four-star recruit and son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, announced his commitment to Syracuse University on Friday during an appearance on his father’s show, “7PM in Brooklyn.” The 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Long Island Lutheran, ranked No. 36 in the 2025 class by ESPN, chose the Orange over USC and Auburn, completing a recruitment journey that included official visits to Florida State and USC.

𝓞𝓯𝓯𝓲𝓬𝓲𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓞𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮 ✍️

Welcome to the #CuseFamily, @kiyananthony! 🍊 pic.twitter.com/0zCMTiQSpc

— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) November 15, 2024

“Ultimately, it came down to my relationship with the staff,” Anthony told ESPN. “From day one, 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.” Despite his father’s strong legacy at Syracuse, where Carmelo led the team to a national championship in 2003, Kiyan emphasized his commitment to building his own path through dedication and hard work.

The moment Kiyan announced his decision to go to Syracuse 🙌 https://t.co/M6pRRtjshK pic.twitter.com/rATyFfnx5x

— 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) November 15, 2024

Anthony’s bond with Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry played a key role in his decision. “I’m going to do everything Coach 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, relatable, and connects well with players.”

The journey to this decision wasn’t always easy. Kiyan admitted that growing up with constant comparisons to his father posed challenges. “The struggle was real, especially in middle school and my freshman year in high school,” he said. “But I started listening to my dad, established a routine, and became my own player. The biggest difference between me and my dad is that he was a straight-up bucket—a bully. I can score, but I can also create for others.”