Now, we can finally say it—“like father, like son.” Kiyan Anthony, the 17-year-old son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, has decided to follow in his dad’s footsteps by committing to Syracuse University. The four-star recruit has been making waves all summer, dominating events like Peach Jam and the SLAM Summer Classic. With each bucket and highlight reel play, Kiyan proved he’s ready to carve out his own legacy. But as the ink dries on his Syracuse commitment, fans can’t help but pit him against another basketball heir—LeBron James’ son, Bronny James.

Of course, Carmelo Anthony must be proud. Earlier tonight, Kiyan appeared on his father’s podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, to share the big news: he’s heading to Syracuse. Ranked 31st nationally and 10th among shooting guards by On3, the young star is already making headlines. Before this announcement, Kiyan’s performances had scouts buzzing.

Standing at an impressive 6’5”, Kiyan plays as a shooting guard for Long Island Lutheran High School. His talent speaks for itself. ESPN ranked in no.1 in New York 2025 class. Adam Finkelstein, 247Sports’ Director of Scouting, put it best: “Anthony is a skilled, smooth scorer and high-volume shot-taker and maker. He plays with an aggressive scoring mentality and is constantly hunting buckets.”

But here’s the thing. Syracuse wasn’t Kiyan’s only option. USC, where Bronny James played, was also on the table. That connection has only fanned the flames of the Kiyan-vs-Bronny debate.

Fans can’t stop declaring Kiyan Anthony superior to Bronny James

The comparisons between Kiyan Anthony and Bronny James aren’t new, but Kiyan’s commitment to Syracuse has reignited the debate. As the news went viral, fans were quick to declare their winner. “Better than Bronny. I said what I said 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨,” one fan confidently wrote. Another chimed in, “Better than Bronny.” Kiyan is ranked No. 36 in ESPN’s 2025 recruiting class, while Bronny, despite making it to the NBA, has yet to impress. This season, Bronny played just six games, averaging 2.7 minutes and putting up 0.7 points.

Kiyan’s shot-making ability is one of the most talked-about aspects of his game. Sure, he has room to grow—his EYBL shooting percentages were 38% from the field and 29% from three—but his ability to hit difficult shots sets him apart. Whether it’s pull-ups, step-backs, or floaters, Kiyan makes tough plays look routine. Per Synergy, he ranks in the 90th percentile when coming off ball screens. A fan summed it up boldly, claiming, “Clears Bronny.”

Kiyan’s recent performances have only added fuel to the fire. During the Nike EYBL, he averaged 19.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, showcasing his all-around game. At the NBPA Top 100 Camp, he exploded with a jaw-dropping 28.5 points per game across eight contests. Add his standout showing at the Peach Invitational, and fans can’t help but make comparisons. “Better than Bronny already.”

Another confidently stated, “I’m just going to say what everyone else is afraid to… He’s already better than Bronny.” Meanwhile, Bronny’s numbers from his time at USC—4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists—haven’t helped his case much.

Still, it’s not all about numbers. Kiyan is only beginning and Finkelstein notes the areas he could grow in. “There’s plenty of potential to continue ascending too as he gets stronger, embraces the details on the defensive end of the floor, and becomes more efficient offensively by picking his spots and improving his shot-selection without dominating the ball so frequently,” he had shared.

Despite the comparison, both Kiyan and Bronny have their strengths, and their paths are just beginning.