Kiyan Anthony Is Embracing the Pressure-and Making a Name for Himself at Syracuse
Kiyan Anthony was never going to have a quiet entrance into college basketball. When your dad is Carmelo Anthony-a Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, and the man who delivered Syracuse its only national championship-and your mom is a household name in entertainment, the spotlight doesn’t just find you, it follows you.
But for Kiyan, now an 18-year-old freshman at Syracuse, the pressure that comes with his last name isn’t something to run from. It’s something he’s learning to lean into.
There’s no handbook for being the son of a basketball legend, but Kiyan has found something close to it in the form of Bronny James. The two share more than just famous fathers-they share a path that few others can truly understand. And according to Kiyan, Bronny’s been the one voice that cuts through the noise when the weight of expectations feels like too much.
“I feel like throughout this process, you could feel like you’re alone,” Kiyan said recently. “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 I’m going through, somebody like Bronny-he’s way ahead of me and already in the NBA and going through way worse-it puts everything into perspective.”
That kind of perspective matters. It’s easy to forget that these are still teenagers navigating the pressure cooker of elite sports, social media scrutiny, and the legacy of greatness. But Bronny’s message to Kiyan is clear: pressure isn’t a burden-it’s a platform.
“I feel like pressure is just an opportunity for success,” Kiyan said.
That mindset is already showing up in his game. At Syracuse, Kiyan’s carving out his own lane, even while wearing the same No. 7 jersey that his father made iconic in 2003.
He’s coming off the bench, averaging 11.5 points in just under 23 minutes per game, and he’s doing it with poise. Whether it’s signing autographs on campus or stopping for photos after practice, Kiyan is learning to navigate the spotlight with the same calm confidence he brings to the court.
Former Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim, who coached Carmelo during that unforgettable title run, has acknowledged that the comparisons between father and son are “a little unfair.” And he’s right.
Kiyan isn’t trying to be the next Carmelo Anthony. He’s trying to be the first Kiyan Anthony.
That distinction is important. The legacy is there, no doubt. But what Kiyan is building-through his work ethic, his maturity, and the support of people like Bronny and his father-is something uniquely his own.
Carmelo, for his part, is keeping it simple. His advice to his son?
Don’t overthink it. Just hoop.
“This is just basketball,” Carmelo said. “Go out there and be better.”
For Kiyan, that’s exactly the plan.