Kiyan Anthony: Crafting His Own Path in High School Basketball
Kiyan Anthony, a rising star in high school basketball, is quickly making a name for himself on the court. Standing tall at 6-foot-5 and attending Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, New York, Kiyan is a four-star recruit and currently holds the position of the No. 36 prospect in the 2025 rankings. With his impressive skills and promising future, the question on everyone's mind is which college will he choose to continue his basketball journey.
Kiyan's father, Carmelo Anthony, is a well-known name in the basketball world. Carmelo led Syracuse to the 2003 national championship as a freshman and has made significant contributions to the school's basketball facility, which now bears his name. Despite this legacy, Kiyan is determined to make his own decisions when it comes to his future. "My father never pushes me to go to Syracuse just because his name is on the gym. He did so much at Syracuse. He knows that I'm my own person. I've just got to make my own decision at the end of the day," Kiyan shared.
Indeed, the younger Anthony is taking a thoughtful approach to his college decision. While many fans would love to see him follow in his father's footsteps, Kiyan remains open-minded and is considering several potential colleges, including Auburn, USC, Florida State, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Syracuse. "Even though I know basically the whole world wants me to go to Syracuse, I still haven't made the decision yet and I still have to talk to the coaches some more and really get into detail -- like what other players are coming, how they want me to play, how I'll be coached and stuff like that," Kiyan explained.
Despite the external pressures, Kiyan has a strong support system at home. While his father garners much of the spotlight, Kiyan acknowledges the crucial role his mother plays behind the scenes. "I would say everybody sees when the cameras are on [my dad] and then they're on me because I'm playing good, but I would say my mom does a lot more background stuff. Like, when I'm going through something or I need somebody to talk to, my mom is definitely the person," Kiyan said. He added, "And she's the one who really pushes me to get in the gym, even if I don't want to. To go to school and stay on top of my grades and stuff like that."
His maturity and perspective are evident as he balances the demands of high school basketball and the myriad of college options before him. "So I still have to finish up my visits, and then, ultimately, just make a decision. I will rely on my parents a lot with their advice and how they think a school fits me," Kiyan noted, underscoring the importance of his family's guidance during this pivotal time.
While his father’s legacy looms large, Kiyan is grateful for the opportunities and is conscious of lifting those around him. "My friends maybe not having the same opportunities as I have, I'm the one that's tried to bring them along with me. I don't want to make them feel left out," he said, revealing a sense of responsibility and camaraderie that belies his youth.
Even with the possibility of attending Syracuse, a school he is intimately familiar with, Kiyan maintains his independence. "If it is Syracuse -- I go there a lot and I practice, I work out there -- if it is that, that's what it is. But he's never going to say, 'You gotta go to Syracuse. You gotta go there because I went there.' He's not going to make me follow in his footsteps unless I really want to,” Kiyan emphasized.
In a performance that showcased his potential, Kiyan scored 15 points at the iconic Rucker Park in April, further solidifying his status as a player to watch. As he navigates the complexities of high school basketball and recruiting, Kiyan Anthony is proving that while he may share a famous last name, his path is uniquely his own. With a blend of talent, determination, and a solid support system, Kiyan is poised to carve out a legacy that stands alongside his father’s, yet distinctly his own.