Gilbert Arenas and La La Anthony get fired up as Kiyan Anthony shows up at Syracuse game

Kiyan Anthony, the son of Syracuse basketball legend Carmelo Anthony, stole the show during the Orange's game against Wake Forest. Sitting courtside in the JMA Wireless Dome, Kiyan was greeted with a standing ovation when the arena’s jumbotron highlighted him. The high school senior was all smiles, engaging warmly with the crowd.

The official page of SportsCenter NEXT shared a post with the caption:

"Kiyan Anthony pulled up to Wake Forest vs. Syracuse. He committed to the Orange on November 15th."

Kiyan's mom, La La Anthony, commented on the post:

"🍊🍊🍊🔥🔥🔥🔥"

La La Anthony commented on Kiyan Anthony's post

It wasn't just La La Anthony who chimed in. Gilbert Arenas, the former NBA All-Star point guard, also commented:

"🔥🔥🔥🔥"

Gilbert Arenas commented on Kiyan Anthony's pictures

Among all the pictures and videos, the first image of Anthony stands out, showcasing him hyping the crowd. The caption, posted by Syracuse’s official Instagram page, reads:

"Welcome home"

Standing at 6-foot-5, Kiyan is among the top-rated shooting guards in the country and has committed to Syracuse over offers from Auburn and USC. His decision came on Nov. 15 in a heartfelt announcement, featuring a photoshoot with his parents, Carmelo and La La Anthony.

New talent Kiyan Anthony Syracuse’s future hinges

Competing for Long Island Lutheran in New York and within Nike’s EYBL circuit, Kiyan Anthony has shown impressive consistency in his performances. Although Syracuse lost to Wake Forest 81-71, Kiyan's presence was felt by the fans.

Syracuse currently boasts the No. 8 recruiting class for 2025, according to 247Sports, with Kiyan headlining the group. Joining him are IMG Academy’s Sadiq Whit Jr., Australian combo guard Luke Fennell and Wisconsin forward Aaron Womack.

In Oct. 2024, Kiyan delivered a stellar performance during the ACES Hustle & Heart Classic, scoring 26 points with his offensive prowess. At Long Island Lutheran, he plays alongside other top prospects, including Kayden Mingo, a Penn State signee, and Nigel James, who has committed to Marquette.

As Syracuse basketball navigates a challenging season with a 6-7 record and a 0-2 start in ACC play, the arrival of Kiyan Anthony and his fellow recruits offers hope for a turnaround. Despite these challenges, Long Island Lutheran continues to showcase its talent.