Kiyan Anthony Is Staying at Syracuse, and That's a Big Deal for the Orange
Kiyan Anthony is coming back for year two. The son of Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony announced Wednesday on Instagram he's returning to the Orange for his sophomore season, posting a simple caption: "The Right Way." This move matters because it signals commitment to a program that just went through some serious turbulence.
A Rough First Year, But He's Sticking Around
Let's be honest, Kiyan's freshman campaign was bumpy. He averaged 8.0 points in 18.7 minutes across 29 games, which isn't what you'd expect from a blue chip recruit with legendary pedigree. Things got really uncomfortable in February when he got benched in a loss to Virginia. His father, Carmelo, actually spoke up on social media afterward, saying he thought the benching would help his son down the road. Then Kiyan didn't suit up for Syracuse's final two games due to injury either. But instead of hitting the portal or looking elsewhere, he's coming back to fight for his role.
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiNew Coach, New Direction
Here's what makes this interesting: Kiyan is returning to a completely different coaching situation. Gerry McNamara, another Syracuse legend, just got hired to replace fired coach Adrian Autry last month. That's a massive shift. McNamara knows the Orange tradition inside and out, and he'll be bringing a fresh perspective to a program that desperately needs one.
The Orange limped through this past season at 15-17 overall and 6-12 in ACC play. That's back-to-back losing seasons, something that hadn't happened at Syracuse since 1968-69. That's a harsh reality for a program with so much history.
Kiyan Anthony commited to Syracuse back in 2024, more than twenty years after his father Carmelo led the Orange to a national championship. By staying put, he's betting on McNamara's ability to turn things around and his own ability to step up in year two. That's a statement.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about Kiyan Anthony.
View X conversation →This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.