Syracuse
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Scout Report
When your father is a future Hall of Famer, every move gets scrutinized under a microscope that would make most teenagers crumble. The question isn't whether you can handle the pressure — it's whether you can create your own identity while carrying one of basketball's most recognizable last names.
Background
Growing up in Glen Head, New York as the son of Carmelo Anthony meant basketball was always going to be part of the conversation. Kiyan took his talents to Long Island Lutheran, one of the premier prep programs on the East Coast, where he's shared the court with elite talent including future Tar Heel Dylan Mingo and Penn State-bound Kayden Mingo. The competitive environment at LuHi has been crucial for his development, forcing him to earn every minute against players who will be joining him at the highest levels of college basketball. Now enrolled at Syracuse — his father's alma mater — he's writing the next chapter of the Anthony legacy in orange.
Playing Style
Anthony plays with a controlled aggression that separates him from typical shooting guards his age. He processes the game at a high level, reading defenses and making the right pass when help comes, but he's not afraid to hunt his shot when mismatches present themselves. His pace is deliberate rather than frantic — he picks his spots and rarely forces bad looks. Defensively, he uses his 6-5 frame well, staying in front of smaller guards while having enough length to contest shots from wings. The motor runs consistently on both ends, and he competes hardest when the stakes are highest. What impresses coaches most is his basketball IQ — he rarely makes the same mistake twice and adapts his approach based on what the defense is giving him.
Strengths
His shooting mechanics are fundamentally sound with consistent form from all three levels, and he's particularly dangerous in catch-and-shoot situations. Anthony has excellent body control when attacking the rim, using subtle changes of pace to create separation before finishing through contact. The court vision is advanced for his age — he sees passing lanes develop before they open and delivers the ball on time and on target. His competitive fire burns brightest in clutch moments, and he's shown the ability to take over games when his team needs a bucket.
Areas to Watch
Adding more explosive first-step quickness would help him create easier looks against elite college defenders who can stay in front of him currently. His handle is solid but could use refinement when attacking set defenses — developing more counter moves would make him less predictable. Continued work on his pull-up jumper off the dribble would round out an already impressive offensive skill set.
Player Comparison
There are shades of CJ McCollum in his game — similar size, shooting ability, and that same patient approach to scoring. Like McCollum, Anthony picks his spots carefully and rarely forces shots, but when he gets going he can fill it up in bunches. Both players use their basketball IQ to compensate for not being the most explosive athlete on the court.
Recruitment
The recruitment is officially over with his enrollment at Syracuse, but the decision wasn't without drama. Ohio State, USC, Rutgers, and Arizona State all made serious pushes, with the Trojans and Buckeyes reportedly making the strongest cases outside of the Orange. Ultimately, the combination of family ties, Jim Boeheim's legacy, and Adrian Autry's vision for the program won out. The timeline accelerated once he made his official visit to campus, and Syracuse locked him up before other programs could make a final push.
Projection
At Syracuse, he should develop into a reliable scorer who can play both guard spots depending on lineup needs. His ceiling is as a multi-year starter who could average double figures as an upperclassman if he continues developing his all-around game. Professional basketball isn't out of the question, but he'll need to prove he can consistently create his own shot against elite college competition first.
Updated Mar 22, 2026 · Analysis by PrepRadar Scouting Team
Career Journey
Syracuse
COLLEGE
Long Island Lutheran
PREP SCHOOL
NY Rens
AAU
Career Highlights
Kiyan Anthony showed out in his first collegiate start, second leading scorer in Orange's win
Syracuse signee Kiyan Anthony will attend Syracuse vs Wake Forest game on New Years Eve
Kiyan Anthony, LuHi win championship with 25 PTS on 9-15 shooting
Efficient 26 PTS for Kiyan Anthony in Long Island Crusaders' win at ACES Hustle & Heart Classic
Kiyan Anthony ranked as No. 1 high school player in New York State for class of 2025
Blessed to receive an offer from USC
Kiyan Anthony making a case for camp MVP
No Fizz. All Go. 🏀⚡️ Smooth sips that don't miss.
Greatness in their DNA. Welcome to the family, @kiyananthony, @sarahstrong_, @cameronboozer & @caydenboozer.
Offers
5
Syracuse
Attending
Chose Syracuse over 4 other offers
USC
Rutgers
Arizona State
Ohio StateOffers sourced from 247Sports and social media monitoring.
Social Activity
Nike EYBL Session II | 2nd Team 🥈 Kiyan Anthony| Team Melo (MD) | 2025 Averages ➡️ 21.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.7 APG All Circuit Awards ⤵️ https://t.co/7TXwa9StoP @kiyananthony @TeamMe7oEYBL @NikeEYB
Blessed to receive an offer from Arizona State University!!! #AGTG https://t.co/nN9FPjSOZH
Kiyan Anthony just kicked off EYBL Session 3 by dropping 25 points 👀🔥 @kiyananthony @NikeEYB @TeamMe7oEYBL https://t.co/Py3h3XGcyz
2025 Team Melo (MD) G Kiyan Anthony (@kiyananthony): 25 PTS, 2 REB vs PSA Cardinals @TeamMe7oEYBL @LuHiBasketball #2024EYBL @NikeEYB https://t.co/2MxXySnsFr