New York Knicks great Carmelo Anthony led the Syracuse Orange to the 2003 NCAA Mens Division I National Championship long before his days in the Big Apple. Now, his son Kiyan Anthony looks to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Like Father, Like Son
Upon his visit to Syracuse, the younger Anthony spoke with On3 about his upcoming decision as a highly touted four-star recruit in the class of 2025, saying:
“It’s no pressure going there. I know wherever I go, I’m just gonna go there and play my game. But my dad always tells me, ‘Don’t feel like you got to go to Syracuse just because I went there. Really look into these colleges and choose where you want to go.’ So that’s what I’m really looking forward to doing.”
The younger Anthony is a 6-4, 175-pound guard currently attending Long Island Lutheran High School. Nationally, he is the No. 39 ranked player overall and No. 8 among all shooting guards, per 247 Sports. No player is ranked higher than the younger Anthony in the state of New York. ESPN also ranks him at No. 42 in the nation.
Other Programs Vying For Son of Knicks Legend Carmelo Anthony
Syracuse is among 17 programs that have extended offers to the younger Anthony. He made his first college visit to Florida State University back on Oct. 13. Syracuse is in competition with powerhouse programs Michigan, Indiana, and Dayton, which have also made their bid.
With all of the options in front of him, the younger Anthony has much to deliberate with his family. Attending Syracuse would draw comparisons to the high bar his father set. The elder Anthony led the Orange to their only national title in program history on his way to being selected third overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets.
The younger Anthony has the support of his parents to make a decision that will best benefit his basketball career. Where the rest of his recruiting class ends up may be a determining factor in the route he takes.
There have been 109 second-generation players to make it to the NBA, and the younger Anthony has the chance to add to that number. Ending up in a Knicks jersey down the road remains to be seen.