Carmelo Anthony delivered a three-word message as his son, Kiyan Anthony, prepares for his college basketball career at Syracuse. The NBA legend’s message reflects years of preparation and Kiyan’s commitment to the Orange program.
Syracuse’s basketball program welcomed its most high-profile recruit in years when Kiyan Anthony officially committed to the Orange in November 2024. The 6’5″ guard, ranked No. 36 nationally by ESPN in the Class of 2025, chose Syracuse over USC and Auburn, largely due to his strong relationship with head coach Adrian Autry.
Carmelo Anthony Shares Three-Word Message for Kiyan Anthony Ahead of Freshman Syracuse Season
As highly touted commit Kiyan Anthony arrived on Syracuse’s campus, legendary Orange alumnus and Anthony’s father, Carmelo Anthony, showed his support by commenting “TRUST THE PROCESS!!” on social media.
These three words carry significant weight as they reflect the approach that brought Kiyan to this moment and the faith required for his upcoming journey at Syracuse.
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Anthony’s decision to join Syracuse wasn’t solely about following his father’s footsteps. The relationship he developed with coach Adrian Autry proved instrumental in his college choice. “Ultimately, it came down to my relationship with the staff,” Anthony told ESPN when announcing his commitment.
The bond between Anthony and Autry extends beyond typical coach-player dynamics. “We talk a lot, especially late at night, about how we can make Syracuse basketball great,” Anthony revealed. These conversations about the program’s future show the depth of their connection and shared vision.
Now, Anthony arrives at Syracuse ranking 36th nationally in ESPN’s Class of 2025 rankings. He will wear No. 7 for Syracuse, a number chosen to honor his father’s New York Knicks years. His father was recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame Class, adding another layer of prestige to the family legacy.
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Anthony averaged 28.5 points per game at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, showcasing his elite scoring ability against top competition nationwide. At the Nike EYBL circuit, he averaged 19.6 points per game with Team Melo, demonstrating his readiness for college basketball.
The young Anthony joins a Syracuse 2025 recruiting class that includes four-star forward Sadiq White Jr., Australian guard Luke Fennell, and wing Aaron Womack. The class is currently ranked No. 10 nationally by the 247Sports Composite.
Autry, who was named Syracuse’s eighth head coach in March 2023 following Jim Boeheim’s retirement, has built a strong relationship with the Anthony family. The Orange program has struggled in recent years, missing the NCAA Tournament in the past four seasons, making Anthony’s arrival even more significant for the program’s future.
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Anthony will join a program with its practice facility named after his father, the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center. ‘Melo’s $3 million gift helped kickstart construction on the building, which opened in the fall of 2009.
Kiyan expressed his eagerness to begin his Syracuse career, stating, “I’m looking forward to going up there [as soon as possible.] Like, no waiting. I’m trying to go up there as soon as possible and put all the work in.”
His commitment represents hope for a Syracuse program looking to return to national prominence and make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021.
With his father’s encouragement to “trust the process” and a strong relationship with the coaching staff, Anthony’s Syracuse journey officially begins this fall. High expectations and genuine excitement from Orange Nation surround this new chapter as the program looks to rebuild under Autry’s leadership with one of the nation’s top recruiting classes.
