“My dad’s name on the facility is special, but I want to go in there and create my own name…”
Carmelo Anthony and Kiyan Carmelo Anthony attend Global Citizen Festival 2023 at Central Park on September 23, 2023 in New York City.
Kim/Getty Images for Global Citizen
Like father, like son.
Kiyan Anthony, Carmelo Anthony‘s son, has made his college decision, and he’s committing to Syracuse University. The young basketball player appeared on Melo’s 7PM in Brooklyn podcast alongside his dad and his mother, La La Anthony, where he broke the news himself. Kiyan had been stewing over his final schools, consisting of USC and Auburn, but felt like ‘Cuse was where he needed to be.
Kiyan explained to everyone that what he loved the most about playing for ‘Cuse outside of the connection to his dad were marquee match-ups against universities like Duke and North Carolina. Anthony expressed that the national spotlight would benefit both him and the rest of his teammates who are looking to restore Syracuse to greatness and possible futures in the NBA. “All that played a part into why I chose Syracuse,” Kiyan said on the podcast.
“I’m overwhelmed,” La La said following her son’s announcement during the podcast. “I’m happy because he’s happy…It’s big shoes to fill, but at the same time, this is his moment, his lane and his time to create his own reality.”
Kiyan Anthony also talked to ESPN about his decision, saying, “Ultimately, it came down to my relationship with the staff. 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.”
Kiy then spoke about the culture that Coach Adrian Autry is trying to establish with the Orangemen basketball unit. Anthony expressed to the outlet that Autry, who was named the head coach after the 2022-23 season, had already begun getting to work on the 2025 season.
“I’m going to do everything Coach Autry needs me to do,” Anthony added. “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.”
While Carmelo Anthony only played one season for the Orangemen, his impact on the university is undeniable.
During his lone 2003 season, Melo, a freshman, led the Orangemen to a storybook national championship. His performance was one for the ages, with the Brooklyn native being named both an All-American and the NCAA Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player. Kiyan understands the pressure, but wants to carve out his own page in the NCAA history books.
According to ESPN, Kiyan Anthony is currently ranked No. 36 in the out of 100 players and “is one of the best pure scorers in the country.”
Watch the video above.
