Syracuse, NY – Kiyan Anthony, the son of Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony, will follow in his father’s Nike-clad footsteps and play for Syracuse University.

Anthony, a 6-foot-1 guard, revealed his decision to attend Syracuse on his father’s podcast, “7PM in Brooklyn,” along with Carmelo and his mother, La La.

Kiyan said he liked the Orange’s potential with the coaching staff, the addition of other players, the proximity to home and an ACC schedule that includes national brands Duke and North Carolina.

Immediately after announcing his decision, Kiyan hugged his mother and father.

“I’m sure everyone assumed ‘Mel was pushing him,’” La La said. “We just gave input and took a step back.

“There was no pressure from his father to go to Syracuse.”

Anthony, a consensus top-40 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, chose Syracuse over the University of Southern California.

Kiyan said he almost visited USC last month, soaking up the LA environment before having to think further about his decision. Carmelo and Kiyan both praised USC’s NBA culture under coach Eric Musselman.

His commitment further elevates a recruiting class that was ranked in the Top 20 nationally prior to Friday’s news.

By choosing Syracuse, 17-year-old Anthony immediately becomes one of the most anticipated recruits in program history due to his rare combination of high-level basketball skills and a big name and celebrity status.

Anthony’s decision to play for Syracuse may not have been a foregone conclusion, but it does bring his father’s legacy to the Orange program full circle.

Carmelo Anthony spent only one year at Syracuse, but he made his mark in the school’s record books when he helped Syracuse capture the 2003 NCAA Championship. Anthony averaged 22.2 points and 10.0 rebounds, both records for a Syracuse freshman. He was a consensus All-America selection, a first-team All-Big East selection and the Big East’s Freshman of the Year.

In 2013, Syracuse officials honored Anthony by lifting his No. 15 jersey to the rafters of the JMA Wireless Dome.

Kiyan Anthony recently said during an appearance on “League Ready,” a YouTube channel about high school basketball, that during Kiyan’s visit to campus last year, Syracuse coaches brought out a game-worn Carmelo jersey, a tribute to the history the Anthonys have with the school.

‘My message to him was: don’t be afraid of it. Embrace it,” Carmelo said on Friday’s podcast.

Now Kiyan will soon play in the dome and practice in a building named after his father: the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center. (The K stands for Kiyan, also Carmelo’s middle name.)

La La said on the podcast that she and Carmelo deliberately didn’t want to name their son Carmelo so he could forge his own name.

“You have to create your own lane,” La La said.

Carmelo donated money for the facility. His son’s presence on campus has the potential to increase the Oranje’s profile nationally, attract more primetime TV appearances, bring in more donor money for top players and ensure Carmelo’s regular attendance at games and in the city.

Anthony, a senior at Long Island Lutheran High School, has risen up the recruiting ranks over the past year. Just over a year ago, ESPN.com had him ranked No. 52 for the ’25 class. He is now ranked No. 36 on ESPN. Likewise, On3.com and 247Sports have him listed at No. 30 and No. 34, respectively.

“He is my inspiration because he works so hard,” La La said.

Kiyan also considered Auburn, Ohio State, Rutgers and Florida State at various stages of his recruitment.

Anthony joins a recruiting class that was ranked 17th in the nation by 247Sports prior to his commitment.

Syracuse’s other ’25 commitments include Sadiq White, a 6-8 forward from Charlotte, North Carolina, who attends IMG Academy; Aaron Womack, a 6-5 guard from Milwaukee; and Luke Fennell, a 6-6 guard from Melbourne, Australia.

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