As the sons of NBA players continue to make names for themselves, Kiyan Anthony stands to be the next in line.
Kiyan is a senior at national powerhouse Long Island Lutheran High School (LuHi) and the son of 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Thanks in large part to the power of social media, Kiyan Anthony quickly made a name for himself as a basketball prospect in the high school class of 2025.
While the name and familial connection undoubtedly are the draw for many, Anthony is carving his own lane as a player. As 247Sports' 32nd-ranked prospect in his high school class, Anthony garnered interest from many major college programs before cutting his list to USC and Syracuse, his father's alma mater.
As Anthony embarks upon his senior year and makes his college decision, take a closer look at his profile and potential as a player.
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Kiyan Anthony scouting report
Kiyan Anthony strengths
The scoring gene was certainly passed down a generation.
At 6-5 and 185 pounds, Anthony does not have his father's frame, but he possesses a similar knack for putting the ball in the basket, albeit in a much different manner. While playing for his father's eponymous AAU team during the Nike EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League) in 2024, Anthony averaged 19.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
The 2024 summer circuit also saw the 17-year-old earn an invite to the NBPA Top 100 camp in Orlando. Anthony started the camp off with a bang, scoring 42 points on 15-of-28 shooting, including 4-of-9 shooting from deep. He went on to lead all campers in scoring by averaging 28.5 points over eight games.
It's clear Anthony is not shy about looking for his shot. He's aggressive on the ball as a driver and with his pull-up jumpers. Despite a slight frame, Anthony has a way of finishing through contact from his peers.
Anthony's role is slightly different at LuHi. As a junior he took a backseat to senior All-American VJ Edgecombe. This year, Anthony will share many responsibilities with Penn State commit Kayden Mingo.
This upcoming season will provide Anthony with an opportunity to showcase his abilities to contribute within a more structured system.
Kiyan Anthony weaknesses
Much of Anthony's most glaring weaknesses could be attributed to his age.
He finds ways to finish through contact but his slight frame can also be a hindrance on both ends of the floor. He'll need to add muscle to compete with older, stronger players and not be a net negative on the defensive end, especially at the next level.
As talented of a scorer as he is, Anthony sometimes toes the line of earning the "chucker" label. Impressive as his 42-point performance was at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, Anthony also turned in these notable performances:
- 35 points on 15-of-39 shooting
- 25 points on 5-of-23 shooting
- 27 points on 8-of-27 shooting
Such is often the nature of elite camp settings, but it isn't always indicative of good habits. Anthony still got his numbers because of his ability to get to the line, but shooting nearly 40 times is rarely a good look.
That said, Anthony is 17, and, like most 17-year-old players, he will see his game mature as he grows. He has sneaky athleticism that can allow him to make a difference on the defensive end, but that is something else he'll need to put together.
Being the son of an NBA player has given Anthony an advantage in his ability to get in the gym with and play against bigger, stronger, NBA players. If applied correctly, that work can pay off.
At the collegiate level, Anthony's status as a four-star recruit goes out the window. To get on the floor as a freshman for a major program, he'll need to star in his role, play efficiently, and do the dirty work.
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Where is Kiyan Anthony going to college?
Anthony announced his commitment to Syracuse on Nov. 15, joining his father as a member of the orange basketball team.
After receiving interest from several schools, Anthony trimmed his list down to two: USC and Syracuse. He made his decision on Friday, Nov. 15 during a special episode of his father's "7PM in Brooklyn" show.
As noted above, Syracuse is Carmelo Anthony's alma mater. During his lone season with the Orange, Carmelo led the program to a national title.
Kiyan Anthony took an official visit to Syracuse with his dad Carmelo 👀🍊 pic.twitter.com/hUIQ1KNW4M
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) October 21, 2023
After making a name for himself as a pro, Anthony made a major donation to the school, and the practice facilities are named the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center.
