‘Yo, you excited? How are you feeling?’ Those questions aren’t easy, especially when you’re about to step onto the court carrying the legacy of your father, a Hall of Famer. But Kiyan Anthony couldn’t hide his excitement. Wearing that iconic orange Syracuse jersey, the same one he’d admired as a kid, he was ready to carve his own path, making plays, dominating the hardwood, and showing the world that while the name “Anthony” carries weight, he’s here to create his own.

Kiyan Anthony knows the journey is just beginning: improvement, learning, and even unlearning are all part of the process. After the game, he reflected honestly on what needs work: “Little things, like a couple of shots I could have made that I missed. Free throws, I missed three free throws, that’s unacceptable. So I just got to, you know, get in the gym after this, do some free throws and just fix the little things,” he said.

But Carmelo Anthony couldn’t resist chiming in under his son’s clip with 2 words, “Unacceptable lol.” Having an 81.4% career free-throw shooter and 17th all-time with 6,320 made, is probably the best person to comment, and as a father, he gets to flex, teach, and have a little fun.

But if we’re willing to overlook that, Kiyan was simply electric on the floor. The Syracuse Orange cruised to an 83-43 win over Delaware State, and the freshman guard made his presence felt immediately. He played nearly 30 minutes, hitting 8 of 11 shots and adding a steal to help secure the lopsided victory.

Now, many might assume Syracuse was an obvious choice, given Melo’s legendary status and the 2003 championship that cemented the program’s legacy. But there’s much more to the story. While the weight of a Hall of Famer’s legacy loomed large, Kiyan was determined to step onto the court with his own goals and identity. “My dad’s name on the facility is special,” he said, “but I want to go in there and create my own name.” His words carried a blend of pride and determination, signaling the start of a journey that’s uniquely his own.

Passing on programs like USC and Auburn, Kiyan prioritized a place where he felt a genuine connection with the coaching staff and could grow as a player while contributing meaningfully to a program with a rich history and ambition.

That connection came alive with head coach Adrian Autry, who Kiyan describes as “super cool… he connects with all his players; he is very relatable.” They’ve spent late nights discussing ways to make Syracuse basketball competitive again, and Kiyan felt that bond immediately. 

For him, it was never just about being Carmelo Anthony’s son; it was about being part of a team where he could learn, lead, and thrive, while also helping the Orange chase an NCAA Tournament.

And that’s exactly why Kiyan isn’t shy about calling out where Syracuse has struggled; he wants to face it head-on and lift the program back to the top. “I want to be known for the turnaround. Like, last three years, I know we were known as mediocre. Now it’s super mediocre,” he said candidly. 

The pressure on this freshman class is higher thanks to his father’s legendary first year, but Kiyan has his own vision. “So I want my team to be known for the turnaround, like ‘oh, that’s Kiy’s freshman years, they was winning nine games.’” For him, winning a championship is only part of the story. 

LaLa Anthony beams with pride as Kiyan shines at Syracuse

Kiyan Anthony’s first college start had the family buzzing. His mother, LaLa Anthony, shared a clip from the game on Instagram, writing, “Kiyan’s first college start… he went CRAZZZYYYYYY! Soooo proud @kiyananthony 🍊.” The freshman guard had already made his debut earlier that week on November 3 against Binghamton, logging 29 minutes off the bench and putting up 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, along with three rebounds and three assists.

Syracuse cruised to an 85-47 win, giving fans a glimpse of the young guard’s potential.

Against Delaware State, Kiyan’s impact was even more pronounced. His on-court chemistry with teammate Donnie Freeman (who asked Kiyan that earlier question) was electric, as Freeman contributed 20 points on 6-of-8 shooting with four assists. Together, they nearly outscored Delaware State by themselves, powering Syracuse to an 83-43 blowout victory.

Teammates were quick to praise the duo. “Those guys are elite, that’s no secret,” SU center William Kyle III said after the game, acknowledging how much the pair elevated the team. Kiyan’s dedication didn’t go unnoticed either; before the Delaware State tip-off, he had already spent hours in the gym the night before, showing a relentless work ethic.

Even with minor setbacks, like missing free throws earlier, the family celebrated his mindset as much as his performance. LaLa Anthony shared on her Instagram Story: “Always working. Always improving.” Between his impressive on-court output and tireless commitment, it’s clear Kiyan has made his mother proud.