Kiyan Anthony Favors USC Over Syracuse for This Reason, Dropping Potential Hint on Final Verdict

Like father, like son? Not so fast. Kiyan Anthony, the 17-year-old four-star recruit and son of NBA icon Carmelo Anthony, seems to be paving his own path. Over the summer, Kiyan made waves at Peach Jam, SLAM Summer Classic, and Top 100 Camp, showing he’s ready to step into the limelight. And now, he’s making one of the biggest decisions of his life—his college pick. While he was expected to follow in Carmelo’s Syracuse footsteps, Kiyan recently dropped a hint that he’s leaning more toward USC.

When asked about his top campus visit on the League Ready YouTube channel, Kiyan didn’t hold back. “I would definitely say, USC, definitely was the best,” he shared. And why USC? “Just because, you know, California weather, all the players out there, you know, the campus is fire, just watching practice and everything. And all together, I would say, USC was the best visit.”

However, Syracuse still has a special pull for Kiyan Anthony, and it’s got more to do with family pride than palm trees. “I gotta give that to Syracuse,” he admitted when it came to the best photoshoot experience. “They did something big; they brought my dad’s game-worn jersey out there, and it was exciting to see that.” For Kiyan, seeing Melo’s legacy right in front of him had its own magic.

Adding to that, he shared, “And then, I just had my mom; she knows a lot of people out there, and then my dad, obviously he played there. So, they put together a whole package… that was definitely one of the best photo shoots.” With USC offering fresh experiences and Syracuse steeped in family legacy, Kiyan’s decision is bound to be unforgettable.

Melo reveals Kiyan’s top college pick

For 17-year-old shooting guard Kiyan Anthony and his mother, La La, the college list has slimmed down significantly. After considering six schools over the summer, Kiyan narrowed it to three: Auburn, USC, and Syracuse. Speaking on WNBA star Angel Reese’s podcast Unapologetically Angel, Kiyan shared he’s down to his top three, saying, “I got a top three, Auburn, USC, Syracuse,” and hinted he’ll be making his decision soon—“two weeks.”

But recently, Carmelo Anthony dropped a hint that Auburn might be out of the running. On The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the NBA legend confirmed Kiyan’s choice is now down to just two programs: USC and Syracuse. When asked about his son’s upcoming announcement, Carmelo said, “I’m a little nervous but yes. He is deciding which college he wants to go to. It’s down to two. It’s down to Syracuse and USC.” The excitement builds as the final pick will happen on Melo’s podcast 7 PM in Brooklyn on November 15.

With the announcement just days away, many speculate that USC could be the frontrunner, as it’s become a hub for second-generation players like Bronny James and DJ Rodman. But Syracuse is hard to count out, with Kiyan attending Christ The King in Queens, N.Y., and his dad’s legacy at the Orange from their 2003 championship run.