Eventual 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony played just one season of college basketball, but it was a memorable one as he led Syracuse to its only national title under longtime coach Jim Boeheim in 2003.
Now, the Orange will hope it can have the same kind of success with another Anthony in town as his son, Kiyan Anthony, announced his commitment to Syracuse. Anthony plays for Long Island Lutheran in Glen Head, New York, ranking as the No. 32 player nationally and No. 1 player in the state of New York.
He also had offers from programs like Arizona State and Florida State, but instead, he’ll follow in his father’s footsteps and join an Orange program that enters the second year under Adrian Autrey, a former Boeheim assistant who was elevated to replace him ahead of last season.
“I’m proud of you. It’s your time โ go get it,” the elder Anthony said in a video posted on social media after his son’s commitment.
Itโs your time now. @kiyananthony pic.twitter.com/4LQz3n8SbA
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) November 15, 2024
The Orange also announced that Anthony had officially signed his national letter of intent on Friday.
๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ช๐ต๐ต๐ ๐๐ป๐ช๐ท๐ฐ๐ฎ โ๏ธ
Welcome to the #CuseFamily, @kiyananthony! ๐ pic.twitter.com/0zCMTiQSpc
— Syracuse Menโs Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) November 15, 2024
Syracuse has missed three consecutive NCAA tournaments and will hope that streak ends this season. But if it doesn’t, the Orange can rest easy knowing it has a recruiting class that currently ranks fifth nationally and now includes a big-time legacy player coming to town.