Will Carmelo Anthony’s son Kiyan Anthony commit to Syracuse? Exploring three reasons why it can be a good move

Carmelo Anthony’s son Kiyan Anthony has included Syracuse in his final list of college options, alongside Florida State, USC, Auburn, Rutgers and Ohio State. He made the announcement on Instagram last month.

Kiyan, a four-star guard, who is currently in his final year of high school at Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, New York, has yet to commit to a program. However, he has an 89.4% chance of joining the Orange according to On3's recruiting prediction.

"I just like the atmosphere, you know, obviously my dad went there 20-something years ago, so I just like the atmosphere, I like the family environment," Kiyan told ZagsBlog about his impression of Syracuse.

While it is not a guarantee, there are compelling reasons why Syracuse could be an excellent choice for Kiyan.

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3 reasons for Kiyan Anthony to choose Syracuse

1. His father's legacy and strong ties

Syracuse holds a special place in Kiyan's family history. It is very rare for a son not to follow or play for a program where their dad went. Kiyan's father. Carmelo, won an NCAA championship at Syracuse and his name is on the practice facility.

Obviously, going to Syracuse would leave Kiyan with huge pressure since he would be arriving with high expectations and shoes to fill in. But he believes that Syracuse is recruiting him for who he is as an individual, not just because of his father.

"...That's what I like. I just feel like they're rebuilding and they're looking to get a winning team. I feel like I can help them do that if I was to go there," Kiyan said in the same ZagsBlog conversation.

Kiyan visited the campus in October 2023 and is planning on his second visit soon.

2. Rebuilding with new coach

Syracuse, under the leadership of their second-year coach Adrian Autry, has shown strong interest in Kiyan. The 6-foot-5 SG met with Autry during his visit last fall, and was intrigued by the coach's vision for the program as well as his plan to restore the Orange to national prominence.

Autry led the team to an overall record of 20-12 in his first season, finishing in fifth place in the ACC standings. Autry and his staff are building an impressive 2025 recruiting class, with top prospects like Sadiq White already committed.

3. Opportunity for impact

Syracuse has not done well lately, failing to qualify for the last three NCAA tournaments and not winning any conference titles in a decade. Kiyan Anthony could be a key player in turning things around and helping the team become successful again.