They cheered him when he chopped down those nets, and today they’ll cheer him again. But Carmelo Anthony’s return to the Dome on May 11 isn’t just nostalgia. It’s a challenge to a new generation, and to one young Anthony ready to carve his own name. On April 1, Syracuse University announced that Carmelo Anthony will deliver the Commencement on May 11, 2025.

The basketball star was cheered as he entered the JMA Wireless Dome for the first time and every subsequent time he was shown on the building’s big screen. Wearing gold glasses that matched a gold tassel, and a salmon shirt covered by a graduation gown, Anthony acknowledged those cheers by tapping his heart, then by waving, then by flashing a peace sign, and then with a broad smile atop a graduation stage.

Melo said it best right out of the gate: “What a moment. What a full-circle moment, I would say.” In 2003, this Dome saw him average 22.2 points and 10.0 rebounds en route to the NCAA title and Final Four MOP honors. Standing here now—with a 19-year NBA résumé, 10 All-Star selections, and three Olympic gold medals—he told graduates, “Standing here in this dome… is very surreal for myself” and called it, “my launchpad for my life.” And when he said, “to return here… feels like life has come all the way around,” the moment truly spoke for itself.

Melo didn’t merely advise—he delivered a stark warning about post-grad realities: “Success wasn’t easy, and it’s never easy.” He recounted self-doubt, injuries, and criticism, underscoring that ‘success wasn’t easy, and it’s never easy. Carmelo Anthony saluted the Class of 2025 for weathering “a global pandemic, social unrest, uncertainty about the world”—and praised their resilience.

He cautioned that life’s path won’t be linear—he left Syracuse believing basketball was his whole story, only to find new passions in business and storytelling: “I was more than just an athlete.” Melo was urging the graduates to embrace the unexpected twists ahead and be open to discovering who they really are. He challenged them directly:

“So, with that being said Class of 2025, I challenge you to take that spirit into the world. Be bold. Be kind. Be relentless. Live with a purpose. Give back. Honor your roots. Chase your dreams, and don’t be afraid to rewrite the script as you go.” For Melo, this was their moment—“This is your time. This is your launchpad.”

Melo’s words doubled as a charge to son Kiyan Anthony, who next season will don the Orange.

Kiyan Anthony: A legacy reignited

Melo’s legacy at Syracuse isn’t just living in the rafters or etched in championship history—it’s about to take the court again. This time, through his son. Kiyan Anthony, a top-40 Class of 2025 shooting guard, is officially following in his father’s footsteps. On his dad’s own 7PM in Brooklyn, Kiyan announced that he’s committing to Syracuse. “Ultimately, it came down to my relationship with the staff,” he told ESPN. “From day one, when they started recruiting me, they made me feel like it was family.”

With ‘Anthony’ emblazoned on the practice facility, Kiyan isn’t just retracing Melo’s steps—he’s carving his own lane. “My dad’s name on the facility is special,” he said, “but I want to go in there and create my own name.” That mindset shows. Kiyan’s coming off a big spring on the Nike EYBL circuit. He led the EYBL with 19.6 ppg. This included four 25-point outings. And at Peach Jam, he averaged 21.8 ppg on 37.3% 3PT.

At Peach Jam? He averaged 21.8 points and shot 37.3% from 3-point range in eight games. His scoring touch is elite, but he’s quick to point out he’s not just Melo 2.0: “The biggest difference between me and my dad is that he was a straight-up bucket, a straight-up bully. He could score on you at will. I have scoring ability, and I can create for others.”

Yet he’s more than his surname. Kiyan built a real connection with Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry. “We talk a lot, especially late at night, about how we can make Syracuse basketball great,” he said. “Coach is super cool… he connects with all his players; he is very relatable.” He’s not coming alone either. He joins a loaded class featuring five-star Sadiq White and more. Kiyan knows what this means: “When I think of Syracuse basketball, I think of the 30,000 fans going crazy in the Dome… we’ll put on a show for the fans at Syracuse.” The legacy continues—but the name Kiyan Anthony is about to stand on its own.

Carmelo’s return to Syracuse marks the closing of one chapter—and the beginning of another. As he hands the mic to a new generation, his son Kiyan is lacing up, ready to write his own script on the same floor his father once ruled. The dome isn’t just a memory—it’s alive again.