Kiyan Anthony Navigates Spotlight, Pressure, and Growth as Syracuse Heads into ACC Play
Syracuse took care of business Monday night, cruising past Stonehill College at the JMA Wireless Dome. But while the scoreboard leaned heavily Orange, it wasn’t the sharpest outing for freshman guard Kiyan Anthony, who finished with just four points in 12 minutes of action.
That said, one quiet night doesn’t tell the whole story. Anthony has been trending upward lately, including an 18-point performance against Northeastern just two days earlier. Through the early stretch of his freshman campaign, he’s averaging 10.9 points per game and shooting an efficient 44.6% from the field-solid production for a player still finding his rhythm at the college level.
What makes Kiyan’s journey especially compelling is the weight of the name on the back of his jersey. Being the son of Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony comes with its own set of expectations-and attention. ESPN recently profiled Kiyan, diving into what it means to grow up in the shadow of greatness while forging a path of his own.
One of the more revealing parts of that piece was Kiyan’s perspective on pressure and friendship-particularly his bond with Bronny James. Like Kiyan, Bronny has grown up under a microscope, with every move tracked and compared to a generational NBA icon. Now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny is averaging 1.9 points per game across 14 appearances this season.
“I feel like throughout this process, you could feel like you're alone,” Kiyan said. “You feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and there is nobody behind you.
But then having friends like that, that are going through the same thing that I'm going through, somebody like [Bronny]-he is way ahead of me and already in the NBA and going through way worse, so it always could be worse. I feel like pressure is just an opportunity for success.”
That mindset is telling. It speaks to a maturity that goes beyond the box score.
And it’s something you notice when you talk to Kiyan off the court. He’s respectful, thoughtful, and carries himself with a quiet confidence-not unlike the way he moves through a game.
Sure, he’s still working on his physicality, but there’s a natural feel to his game that suggests he knows where he needs to be, even if the body isn’t quite there yet.
As Syracuse gears up for ACC play, Anthony’s development becomes one of the most intriguing subplots to watch. How he adjusts to the physicality and pace of conference competition could go a long way in determining not just Syracuse’s ceiling this season, but also whether Kiyan sticks around for a second year or tests the NBA waters.
What’s Next for the Orange
Syracuse returns to action after the holidays, opening ACC play on December 31 against Clemson at the Dome. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
ET. It’s a chance for the Orange to set the tone heading into the grind of conference play-and for Kiyan to show how far he’s come since the season tipped off.
Meanwhile, Across Campus…
The Syracuse women’s team is quietly putting together a stellar season of their own. Sitting at 11-1, they’ve rattled off six straight wins and are 1-0 in ACC play after a victory over SMU.
They’ll resume conference action on December 28 when they host Duke at the Dome. That one tips at 4 p.m.
ET and should be a great early test for a team that’s starting to look like a real contender.
Plenty of basketball ahead on both sides of the program-and plenty of storylines to follow. But keep an eye on No. 24 in orange. Kiyan Anthony’s journey is just getting started, and it’s already one worth watching.