The 6-foot-5 guard from Glen Head, N.Y., and son of Orange legend Carmelo Anthony, Kiyan Anthony, is officially committed to Syracuse. After transferring from Christ the King High School to Long Island Lutheran (LuHi), Anthony helped lead the Crusaders to a 21–5 record last season.
Anthony also earned a spot on the Naismith Boys’ High School Player of the Year watch list. With that kind of gameplay, an analyst believes that Anthony is not just bringing a famous last name to Syracuse; he might be bringing a revival that the program desperately needs.
CBB Analyst Says VJ Edgecombe’s Absence Sparked Kiyan Anthony’s Breakout
On Bleacher Report’s latest podcast episode, college hoops analyst Carter Elliot broke down what Anthony brings to the Orange. “I think Kiyan, obviously being of the Carmelo Anthony family tree, has scoring in his blood. Scoring has been in his blood for a long time, but he has improved greatly,” says Elliot.
Elliot is not wrong in saying so either. Recently, Anthony went on to score a camp-best 28.5 points per game at the NBPA Top 100 Camp and 19.6 points per game for Team Melo in Nike’s EYBL circuit. This is a massive improvement from the 2023-24 stats, which stood at 10.3 points and 2.4 assists per game. In fact, Elliot attributes this improvement to a player leaving LuHi.
As Elliot sees it, “I think his body has changed a lot through his high school career. He got a lot better in a role with LuHi this year without VJ Edgecombe on the team.” Before Edgecombe left for Baylor in 2024, he and Kiyan were not just donning the same jersey; they were also roommates.
As Edgecombe explained on Paul George’s podcast, “When he first came to LuHi, we were roommates cuz they was like, ‘Oh, this VJ last year, he’s (Kiyan) new to the program. You just show him the ropes.’” In those months, Anthony absorbed everything from Edgecombe’s daily routine to his approach to training.
However, by 2024, Edgecombe was a five-star recruit and one of the top players in the class. He had offers from all the big names, including Duke and Kentucky, but chose to play for the Baylor Bears.
While Edgecombe was busy racking up Big 12 accolades, Baylor freshman records, and eventually going No. 3 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers, Kiyan was quietly evolving into a scoring threat in his own right.
Something about seeing Kiyan Anthony in his Dad’s old stomping grounds gives us chills 🥶
The Top 30 prospect is ELITE, and should produce from day one for the Orange
(Via @Cuse_MBB 🎥)
— Players Era (@Players_Era) July 7, 2025
Without Edgecombe carrying the load at LuHi, Anthony’s frame filled out, his shot selection sharpened, and his confidence improved. Elliot believes that growth built in the shadow of a future NBA lottery pick has helped Anthony to be the “jumping-off point to bring Syracuse basketball back.”
Anthony could be the piece that takes the program back to its glory days.
As Elliot puts it, “He just has that natural ability to score the basketball, and Syracuse is going to be a fun team to watch this year.” Things are already getting interesting. Soon after the commitment, Anthony even inked his father’s history into his skin. On his arm sits a tattoo inspired by Melo’s championship moment, the headline swapped from “Champs” to “Legacy.”
Kiyan Anthony’s new tattoo. 🔥🤯
(via @Ballislife) pic.twitter.com/kkRKWP4MR1
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 12, 2025
This could be the beginning of something big for Syracuse. Anthony joins a loaded 2025 class with top-15 forward Sadiq White Jr., Australian prospect Luke Fennell, and Wisconsin player Aaron Womack. It’s a group that could change Syracuse’s fortunes. Edgecombe once told Anthony, “You have a chance to go one and done.”
