Kiyan Anthony’s transition to Syracuse continues to gain momentum. This weekend, the four-star recruit received heartfelt messages from his high school team’s coaching staff. The son of NBA great Carmelo Anthony, the 6’5″ shooting guard was celebrated for his leadership and basketball prowess.
Assistant coach Mike Clark recently joined LuHi HC John Buck in sending tribute messages to the incoming Syracuse freshman. Clark’s Instagram story featured supportive text alongside the viral tribute video that has been circulating across basketball social media platforms throughout June.
LuHi Coaching Staff Shows United Support, Appreciation for Kiyan Anthony
Mike Clark, the assistant coach at Long Island Lutheran, took to his Instagram story to express his admiration for Kiyan Anthony. Clark’s social media post included the text “Yeah #3! ❤️ @kiyananthony my guy” while sharing the tribute reel created by the LuHi basketball program.
Clark’s message came alongside head coach John Buck’s widely shared tribute video. In it, Buck praises Anthony’s character development and contributions to the program’s success while playing for Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, New York.
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“Coaching you for the past two and a half years has been an absolute pleasure,” Buck stated in his tribute message. “Your humility, your willingness to be coached, your willingness to buy into what we do here is something I will always remember.”
“As you head off to Syracuse, I’m so excited to see you take those lessons and go make an impact in the ACC.”
The head coach highlighted Anthony’s resilience following an early-season injury during his senior year and his instrumental role in the team’s remarkable 18-game winning streak.
Buck also emphasized how Anthony helped elevate Long Island Lutheran to number one in the NACS Preps National Rankings and contributed to their finals appearance in the EYBL Scholastic Tournament.
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Anthony enters Syracuse as one of the top-35 nationally ranked recruits in the 2025 class, bringing impressive credentials from his high school career. His 26-point MVP performance at the Jordan Brand Classic, where he shot 11-of-15 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range, showcased his offensive capabilities and readiness for college basketball.
The incoming freshman averaged 10.3 points and 2.4 assists per game during his 2023-24 season at Long Island Lutheran. His versatility as a shooting guard and proven ability to perform in high-pressure situations make him a valuable addition to Syracuse’s backcourt rotation for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Anthony chose Syracuse for several reasons, including the closeness to home, the coaching staff, and the opportunity to compete with talented teammates. While following in his father’s footsteps played a role, Anthony emphasized that the program’s overall appeal was the primary factor in his commitment decision.
Anthony will debut in Syracuse when the 2025-26 season tips off on November 3. With strong support from his former coaching staff, Anthony enters college basketball with high expectations for immediate ACC impact.