A city’s outrage, a father’s fury, and a basketball prodigy caught in the crossfire. How did Kiyan Anthony, New York’s golden boy, get snubbed from the McDonald’s All-American Game? The answer, it seems, depends on who you ask. It’s been a hot topic in New York hoops circles—how did Kiyan Anthony, the No. 1 ranked player in the state, miss out on the McDonald’s All-American Game? The Long Island Lutheran star was sidelined for much of the season due to injury, only returning to action in January. While that could explain his omission, NYC fans aren’t buying it.

Father Carmelo Anthony also didn’t stay quiet about it. On his 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast, the former NBA star called out the decision, questioning how his son, a four-star recruit, didn’t make the cut. Fans rallied behind him, flooding the comments with their frustration. “How u the #1 ranked player in NY and not a McDonald’s All American? Game is rigged,” one fan wrote, echoing the sentiment of many.

But not everyone sees it that way. Enter former Hawks guard Jeff Teague. On the Club 520 Podcast, Teague made it clear he wasn’t sold on the hype. “I don’t like when I think of high school basketball,” he admitted, before explaining why he believes Kiyan didn’t make the game. “It’s no shot at Melo’s son, but Braylon Mullins is way better than Melo’s son,” he said, giving props to the 17-year-old Indiana standout instead.

And Teague didn’t stop there. He called out NYC fans for over-hyping their own. “Y’all just from a bigger city,” he said, adding that while Kiyan is a good player, he doesn’t see him on the same level as Mullins. “My eye don’t lie. I’m like, ‘Nah, he not better than him.'”

And if stats tell the story, Melo’s son is proving his worth, too. While Mullins put up big numbers for Greenfield, averaging 22.0 PPG, Kiyan showed his real potential on the summer AAU circuit. Playing for Team Melo, he dropped 19.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, silencing the noise and letting his game do the talking.

Kiyan Anthony keeps proving the hype is real

It’s been a rollercoaster season for Kiyan Anthony, but when it mattered most, he showed up. The Long Island Lutheran star was included in the All-Tournament Team at the Nike EYBL Scholastic Tournament, proving once again why he’s one of the top prospects in the country. LuHi entered the tournament as the No. 7 seed, meaning they had to grind through tougher matchups than most. But thanks to Kiyan and fellow four-star Kayden Mingo, they made a deep run.

Even though LuHi fell short in the finals against Link Academy on March 8, Kiyan’s performance was undeniable. He led his team in scoring, putting up 19 points per game along with 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Now sitting at 21-6, LuHi is pushing for a spot in the Chipotle Nationals, and Kiyan’s impact has been a major reason.

Next year, Kiyan is also heading to Syracuse, following in the footsteps of his father, Carmelo Anthony. For Orange fans, it’s a full-circle moment, bringing back memories of Melo’s legendary 2002-03 championship season. The buzz around Kiyan is only growing, and for good reason. He’s already a four-star prospect, ranked as the No. 6 shooting guard in the 2025 class by 247Sports Composite, and the top recruit in New York. If he keeps delivering, Syracuse might just have another star ready to take them back to national glory.

As Kiyan Anthony prepares to follow his father’s footsteps to Syracuse, the debate rages on. Is he a victim of regional bias, or a player still proving his national worth? Only time, and the hardwood, will provide the definitive answer. But one thing is certain: Kiyan Anthony has the attention of the basketball world, and he’s not afraid to use his game to silence the doubters.