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Fans are disappointed by Kiyan Anthony’s snub from the 48th annual McDonald’s All-American Games. The 2025 class of McDonald’s All Americans features some of the best and most elite players, poised to showcase their talent. However, in this intense competition, there were a few notable snubs, including Carmelo Anthony‘s son. While the excitement surrounding the final roster was palpable, many felt Kiyan should have earned a spot as well.

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Considering the talent, this group of 24 girls and 24 boys was selected by the game’s top analysts, prep scouts, media, coaches, and others. The debate began when BRhoops posted a question asking fans who they thought was the biggest snub from the McDonald’s roster, and many voiced their support for Kiyan Anthony.

Jasper Johnson and Acaden Lewis were also mentioned. Another player highlighted by the IG post was Kingston Flemings. While some mentioned Kiyan like the rest, others argued that the 17-year-old’s recent injury could be the reason he wasn’t selected for the roster.

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Some of the stars selected for the roster include Carlos Boozer’s twins, Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer from Christopher Columbus High School, AJ Dybantsa, Gilbert Arenas’ son Alijah Arenas, and more. The girls’ roster featured Aaliyah Crump, Darianna Alexander, Nyla Brooks, Kaelyn Carroll, and others.

Fans poured love and appreciation for the roster, but there was equal disappointment about the snubs, most notably Kiyan’s.

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Fans are disappointed with Kiyan Anthony’s snub

“Kiyan shudda definitely made it 😐” a fan wrote. Many seemed to believe Kiyan’s absence from a month-long stretch of games to be the reason. In a game against St. Joseph’s Collegiate, he landed on his back the wrong way. 

So, this fan wrote, “Kiyan barely played this season. Think he was coming off injury. Probably wasn’t eligible to be a McDonald’s all star.” Is the netizen right? In the fourth quarter, just as he was about to dunk, he was fouled by St. Joseph’s Nate Blenman. While it was unintentional, the damage was done.

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USA Today via Reuters

Luckily, it was a minor injury. He had slight bruising on his tailbone, hamstring, and lower back. However, Kiyan still had to rest and let his bruising heal before returning to action. Fans, however, found it hard to digest the snub, considering Kiyan’s long list of achievements.

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He had been phenomenal!  A fan wrote, “Ain no way Kiyan not on Mcd wtf.” Moreover, he was also named the top prospect in the 2025 class. “Considering Kiyan is ranked 1st in NY.. and that’s usually a given! I’d say lil bro,” another fan wrote. But the injury seemed to become a hurdle. He has only recently made a comeback.

Some even dragged in Bronny James to make their point. “Bronny was in the McDonald’s and kiyan not mannn somebody gotta get fired,” this fan wrote. Do you think Kiyan should have been included in the list?

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Pritha Debroy

3,476 Articles

Pritha Debroy works with the NFL Lifestyle Desk at EssentiallySports, where she explores the league beyond the sidelines and focuses on the cultural nuances of football. Bringing a fresh perspective shaped by her background in basketball lifestyle stories and cross-sport expertise, she highlights how NFL athletes build influence off the field. A graduate of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, our in-house initiative that trains writers under industry experts, Pritha specializes in long-form features and player-driven stories that capture the evolving identity of today’s NFL stars. Pritha combines her passion for storytelling with a thoughtful approach to sports culture and lifestyle. With strong communication skills and an eye for detail, she brings a distinctive voice to NFL journalism, delivering engaging and insightful content that resonates with readers.

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Masaba Naqvi

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