It was supposed to be a night of epic matchups—Bryce James’ Sierra Canyon versus Kiyan Anthony’s Long Island Lutheran. The buzz around this game wasn’t just because of their last names; these two rising basketball stars have been generating excitement for a while now. But fate had other plans. Both Kiyan and Bryce were sidelined because of injuries. However, without taking the court, the two managed to grab attention as they were present at the arena, supporting their teams.

Kiyan’s Long Island Lutheran walked away with a 65-50 win, but the highlight wasn’t just the final score. Post game, the two embraced in a heartwarming moment. They both greeted each other and gave a warm hug. However, the reasons for Kiyan’s injury remain unclear. Kiyan reportedly suffered a lower back issue during the season opener earlier this month but has shown resilience. For Bryce, the cause of his absence remains unclear.

While their absence left a gap, Kayden and Dylan Mingo more than stepped up. Kayden Mingo was the star of the night with 20 points, while Dylan added 14 of his own. This win was critical for Long Island, after their two consecutive loses to top-ranked squads Brewster Academy and Montverde. On the other hand, MJ Madison chipped in with 12 first-half points, and Nigel James added another 12 for the Crusaders. However, for them, the challenge will be harder as they have Link Academy, another tough top-15 team waiting on Sunday.

While unsure if the two, Kiyan and Bryce, will suit up for the next games, their college picks are already the talks. The former’s commitment to Syracuse is a huge step, while Bryce is still weighing his options with offers from Ohio State, Duquesne, and other top programs.

Bryce James or Kiyan Anthony: Who’s got the edge?

Bryce James is one of high school basketball’s top prospects, and for good reason. At 6’6 and still growing, he has the size and potential to make waves in the NBA someday. Playing as a shooting guard, his basketball IQ and inside game are already impressive. Defensively, he holds his ground, but there’s still room for improvement in his shooting.

During May’s Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, he averaged 5.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in five appearances, a step up from the 3.8 points he managed last season as a sophomore at Sierra Canyon. However, ranking 204 on On3’s list for the Class of 2025 suggests Bryce is far from his ceiling. The silver lining? His NBA-ready body and court smarts give him the foundation to grow his game significantly.

Meanwhile, Kiyan Anthony stands ahead in both rankings and output. Coming in at No. 35 on On3’s 2025 list, Kiyan’s stats shine brighter. Also a shooting guard, the 6’5 standout averaged 19.6 points and 4.6 rebounds over 15 games for his dad’s AAU team at Nike’s EYBL. He outscored Bryce head-to-head at the same event with an 18-point, four-assist performance. By comparison, Bryce only managed eight points and two rebounds.

Kiyan further proved himself at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, scoring a jaw-dropping 42 points in one game and averaging 28.5 points per contest across eight games. While his slight build is a minor concern, he has plenty of time to bulk up before college and beyond. Right now, it’s hard to deny Kiyan has the edge over Bryce, but their journeys are far from over.