Four-star basketball recruit Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, approaches a pivotal moment in his rising career as his Nov. 15 commitment date nears. The Long Island Lutheran senior has narrowed his choices to three programs, with Syracuse and USC emerging as frontrunners.
Kiyan follows a tradition of NBA legacies pursuing their own hardwood dreams.
The Legacy Effect:
- Bronny James, son of LeBron James, made headlines in 2023 when he committed to USC. Despite a cardiac arrest scare before his freshman season, his recovery and return to the court demonstrated the same resilience that marked his father’s career.
- Shareef O’Neal, son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, played for UCLA and LSU before joining the G League. Like his father, he faced significant challenges, including open-heart surgery in 2018, yet continued pursuing his basketball dreams.
- D.J. Wagner, son of former NBA player Dajuan Wagner, emerged as a five-star recruit before choosing Kentucky in 2023. His commitment extended a three-generation basketball legacy, as his grandfather Milt also played professionally.
Anthony, ranked among the top 30 recruits for 2025, has transformed from legacy prospect to legitimate star. At 6 feet 5 inches and 185 pounds, the elite guard’s scoring prowess and playmaking ability have attracted 21 scholarship offers from major programs including Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio State.
Syracuse offers Anthony a chance to follow his father’s championship legacy. The elder Anthony led the Orange to a national title in 2003 as a freshman. Head coach Adrian Autry’s strong relationship with the younger Anthony bolsters Syracuse’s position as perceived favorite.
USC counters with its own compelling case. Head coach Eric Musselman, who previously coached at Arkansas, has built a strong connection with Anthony. The Los Angeles location, where Anthony’s mother resides, adds personal appeal to USC’s professional development track record.
While Auburn remains in contention, Anthony’s decision to skip an official visit there and cancel a planned Rutgers trip suggests a two-school race. His eventual choice will impact not just his future but potentially reshape a major program’s trajectory.
The younger Anthony has established his own identity beyond his father’s shadow at Long Island Lutheran, one of the nation’s premier high school programs. His commitment will determine whether he builds on family legacy at Syracuse or charts his own path at USC or Auburn.
