Kiyan Anthony talks carrying his father, Carmelo Anthony's legacy: "I'm ready for what's to come"

Kiyan Anthony is the son of Carmelo Anthony, former NCAA champion, 10-time NBA All-Star, 2013 NBA scoring champion — the list of accomplishments and accolades goes on and on.

Last month, ‘Melo announced he’d be retiring, for good. In a video posted to his Twitter account, he says “goodbye” to the game of basketball, but also shared a heartfelt message to his son, Kiyan, a class of 2025 hooper.

“I will forever continue through you because the time has come for you to carry this torch…My legacy, now and forever, lives on through you,” said ‘Melo in the video.

Kiyan continuing his father’s legacy is no easy feat, but the 6-foot-4 guard out of Glen Head (N.Y.) Long Island Lutheran says he’s ready for the challenge.

“It’s big shoes to fill,” Kiyan said to On3. “I’m not trying to be him exactly, but him passing the torch down to me, it’s pressure but I don’t feel any pressure when I’m on the court. All the work I put in, I just show it on the court. It’s a great feeling, him leaning on me and trusting me to fill those shoes and passing the torch. I’m ready for what’s to come.”

The college recruitment process is just beginning for Kiyan Anthony. He’s received early offers from schools such as Indiana, Providence, Seton Hall, Memphis, Illinois, Tennessee, and Syracuse (his father’s alma mater).

Kiyan Anthony talks about Syracuse, Indiana

Kiyan has taken just one college visit — Syracuse — where his father won an NCAA championship in 2003. He says he’d like to return to see the Orange again, as well as make a trip to Indiana. He also mentioned he’s keeping all his options open.

“When I went to a Syracuse football game last year, it was really family-oriented,” Anthony. “When you go to Syracuse, it feels like a home. That’s the only school I’ve really been to so maybe every college could be like that, but it’s really great to go there and for them to show you so much love. Even though Boeheim retired, I’m still super close with Autry.”

Anthony also has unique connection to the Indiana Hoosiers, as Mike Woodson coached Carmelo at the Knicks.

“I used to be the little kid in the locker room, running around, when he was coaching my dad. (Woodson) is like a mentor to me, more than anything. If I do go to Indiana, it’s going to be great. I feel like he would put me in positions to score. He will build around me, get players that do what I do, score and also shoot the ball, defend. I’m just ready for him to reach out to me on June 15th and we will go from there.” 

Other schools in the mix

The NCAA contact period opens on June 15th, meaning college coaches are able to directly contact recruits through phone call, text, direct message, and correspond with athletes in any form of private communication. Prior to June 15, coaches are able to get in touch via the player’s parents/guardian, high school/AAU coach, or another party, but not through the player’s personal cell phone. 

Kiyan is looking forward to June 15th and is excited for the contact period to begin.

Besides Syracuse and Indiana, who else is he hoping reaches out?

“I like UConn,” he said. “Whenever I see the coach walking around during live periods, he always shows me love. So I hope UConn reaches out. Along with Michigan and Juwan Howard. I’ve been in contact with him, but he hasn’t offered. Pittsburgh, I’m super close with an assistant coach. Houston, I’m also close with an assistant coach. But we will see, I’m not really sure what’s going to come on June 15th.” 

Kiyan is currently ranked as the No. 68 overall player in the On3 2025 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 18 shooting guard and the No. 2 player in New York.