“I want to be known on the court for getting buckets, winning, and helping my teammates.” This is the mindset of Kiyan Anthony and has to be if you are the son of Carmelo Anthony. And this is paying him off too! Kiyan has been making waves this season, proving why he’s the top-ranked high school player in New York. But just as things were falling into place, an injury took him off the court for over two months. Bad timing? Absolutely. It might have just cost him one of the biggest honors in high school basketball.

Reason? We all know The McDonald’s All-American Game is a big deal. It’s not just about bragging rights—it puts young stars in the national spotlight. Carmelo Anthony, Kiyan’s father, knows this better than anyone. Back in 2002, he dominated the game, setting the stage for his legendary career. Moreover, Melo himself is repping the new meal for the $220.41B fast-food restaurant chain (as per Macrotrends)! So it’s surprising that his son is not included in the list. And Kiyan had every reason to follow in his footsteps. So why wasn’t he selected?

His exclusion has left people frustrated. Interestingly, even Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr., was disappointed. He took to X(formerly Twitter), saying, “Wait. Kiyan Anthony is the number one ranked player in New York? The ‘Mecca of Basketball’ AND HE DON’T GET TO BE A MCDONALD’S ALL-AMERICAN!?!?! Bruh smh. wtf.” And honestly, he’s got a point.

New York is known for producing basketball legends—Kareem, Stephon Marbury, and even Melo himself. If Kiyan is the best in the state, how is he not on that list?

Carmelo didn’t stay quiet, either. “They jerked us,” he said, making it clear he believed Kiyan earned that spot. But here’s the thing—this setback doesn’t define him. If anything, it’s fuel. The best way to respond? Outplay, outshine and out-dunk the guys who made the roster. And knowing Kiyan, he just might.

Despite Carmelo Anthony’s scathing reply, Kiyan appears indifferent

So, how dissatisfied was Carmelo? Days have passed, but his frustration remains. On 7PM in Brooklyn, he didn’t hold back. “I think he (Kiyan) deserved to make it. No bias s—. I think he really put the work in and really deserved to be a McDonald’s All-American because of his journey and because of his trajectory and how his development went.”

That’s a strong argument. Kiyan isn’t just good—he’s Syracuse-level good. The same school where Carmelo won an NCAA title didn’t offer him a scholarship for anything. If they see his potential, why didn’t the selection committee? “You know, you’re talking about a kid who played freshman basketball his freshman year to becoming the number one player in the state of New York.” Given the committee’s history of debatable picks, this decision isn’t shocking—but it is frustrating.

But how did Kiyan handle the snub? Instead of letting it break him, he let it drive him. He dominated on the court, proving his worth. And in a moment that felt more personal than flashy, he announced his commitment to Syracuse on his father’s podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, with both of his parents by his side.

His final choices were Syracuse, Auburn, and USC, but the connection with Syracuse’s coaching staff sealed it. “From day one, they made me feel like family,” Kiyan said.

This decision isn’t about following in Carmelo’s footsteps—it’s about paving his path. While comparisons will always be there, Kiyan has developed his own game. His father was an elite scorer, but Kiyan prides himself on creating opportunities for others. Now, his real journey begins.