J.J. Starling, Kiyan Anthony, and the Brotherhood Fueling Syracuse Basketball’s Push Forward
There’s something different about this Syracuse team - and it’s not just the way they’re playing. It’s the way they’re bonding.
In an era of college hoops defined by constant roster turnover, NIL deals, and the ever-spinning transfer portal, genuine chemistry can be hard to come by. But for the Orange, that connection seems very real - and it might just be the X-factor that carries them through the grind of ACC play.
You could see it back in November, when Kiyan Anthony - yes, that Anthony - made his first career start against Delaware State. He played with a calm confidence, a rhythm that felt natural.
After the game, he didn’t talk about trying to impress or stand out. Instead, he talked about efficiency, about playing within the offense, and - most tellingly - about the bond he’s building with his teammates.
“I mean, I think it's just natural,” Anthony said. “I don't go out there saying, 'I'm trying to look cool, I'm trying to be smooth.'
I just think that's my game - learning to play within the offense, not trying to stand out of the offense and go get the ball and shoot every time. I'm in the nine to 11 field goal attempts per game, and I'm trying to just be efficient.
You know, I shot 8-for-11 today, 6-for-10 last game, and the efficiency, the shots, going game speed in workouts - it's all paying off. So I'm just looking forward to playing with these guys for the rest of the season.
We've got a great bond. We hang out off the court, and those are my brothers.”
That last line? That’s the heartbeat of this squad.
“Those are my brothers.” That’s not just lip service.
That’s the kind of thing that doesn’t show up on a box score but makes a difference in close games, in tough road environments, in the middle of a grueling conference stretch.
Fast forward to late December, and that same message is coming from J.J. Starling, who dropped 20 points in a dominant win over Stonehill to close out non-conference play at 9-4. After the game, Starling echoed the same sentiment - this team is tight.
“We're very close,” he said. “We all do stuff with each other outside of basketball.
We hang out. We talk to each other, about real stuff, and that's what's allowed us to build chemistry on and off the court.”
That kind of off-court connection? It matters.
Especially now. Because the road ahead isn’t easy.
Syracuse hasn’t danced in March since the 2020-21 season. To break that drought, they’ll need to do more than just compete - they’ll need to make some noise in a deep and unforgiving ACC.
That means stringing together wins, protecting home court, and stealing a few tough ones on the road. And to do that, they’ll need more than talent.
They’ll need trust. They’ll need togetherness.
They’ll need exactly what Starling and Anthony are talking about.
The Orange open ACC play on Wednesday afternoon against Clemson. It’s a 2 p.m. tip, and it marks the beginning of a stretch that will define their season.
The margin for error is slim. But if this team can keep leaning on each other the way they have so far - if that chemistry continues to grow - they’ve got a shot to make things interesting.
Because in college basketball, talent gets you in the door. But chemistry? That’s what keeps you dancing in March.