Kiyan Anthony, the son of Carmelo Anthony, will begin his freshman season at Syracuse University later this year, which will be a significant moment in both his basketball career and the history of the Orange program.

Kiyan, a four-star recruit, confirmed his commitment to Syracuse during a November episode of the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast. The decision to follow in his father’s footsteps has excited fans and alums, eager to see the program return to its former glory.

Carmelo Anthony’s Advice for Kiyan

Carmelo Anthony spoke with Sports Illustrated about his son’s transition to college basketball during his AT&T March Madness campaign. According to the former Syracuse legend, his main wish for Kiyan’s first year is to embrace the experience fully.

“I just want him to go have fun. Go have fun, enjoy the college experience. I want him to enjoy being a college basketball player,” Anthony said. “That’s a different type of experience. Once you experience that, then you feel like, ‘O.K., I’ve got that, now it’s time for me to move on.’ But you can’t move on until you actually experience that.”

Carmelo highlighted the importance of development both on and off the court.

“I just want him to get on campus, have a good year, develop, get better on the court. … Now, it’s about basketball. It’s about developing, you don’t have time for anything else. It’s books and ball. I think having him in that environment where he can just lock in and just focus. He’s on campus, he understands that this is college basketball and what comes with that.”

Hakim Warrick on Kiyan’s Decision

Hakim Warrick, a former Syracuse teammate of Carmelo Anthony, also supported Kiyan’s dedication, acknowledging the challenges and expectations of following a legendary father.

“He’s got some big shoes to fill, but hopefully, he can go there and not have too much pressure on him. He’s a good player in his own right, but it’s tough in those types of situations, especially when you follow in your father’s footsteps,” Warrick recently shared with Landonbuford.com. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about him—he’s a great kid. It just makes me feel old, especially around March Madness. It feels like just yesterday we were playing, and now his son is following in his footsteps. Definitely doesn’t feel like yesterday. But I wish him the best and hope he can help get the program back to where it was.”

The New Era of College Basketball

Warrick considered how the college basketball landscape has changed due to NIL deals and the transfer portal, indicating that today’s experience differs significantly from when he and Carmelo played at Syracuse.

“I say the same thing when I talk to my son—education comes first. It’s great to go and enjoy college without the pressure of providing for a family, especially now that players can make money. It’s just a new era in college basketball with NIL and the transfer portal,” he said.

He expressed sentiments similar to Carmelo’s about the significance of cherishing the college experience.

“Still, to this day, if you talk to Melo, college is probably one of the best times of your life, even for some of the most successful people. It’s a time before you take on a lot of responsibilities—just having fun, meeting new people, and growing. I wish everyone could experience that, and I’m sure Kiyan will enjoy his time there.”

What’s Next for Kiyan Anthony?

Expectations will undoubtedly be high for Kiyan as he prepares to take the court for Syracuse. He can create his legacy with the support of his father, former Syracuse greats, and a fan base eager to see the Orange thrive again. Kiyan Anthony’s journey to Syracuse will be fascinating, whether he aids in the program’s resurgence or relishes the transformative college experience his father aspires to.