The season opener, a high-flying dunk, and then a hard fall that nearly missed what could’ve been a nightmare. That’s exactly what happened to Kiyan Anthony, Syracuse’s commit and rising basketball star, on Saturday night. As Long Island Lutheran Boys Varsity Elite tipped off their 2024–2025 season, the baller came so close to a disaster that could’ve sidelined him for the year. 

Thankfully, though, it looks like the scare isn’t as bad as it seemed. LuHi opened their campaign against St. Joseph’s Collegiate in dominant fashion, rolling to a 74–35 win at Visscher Gym. The team came in with national championship hopes and wasted no time. 

Anthony scored 16 points, while Dylan Mingo dropped 14, and his brother, Kayden Mingo, nearly had a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and five steals. The guard started off great with a soaring dunk in the fourth quarter. However, then, just as he was about to bag another basket (which he did manage to score), he got fouled mid-air by St. Joseph’s Nate Blenman, fell hard on his back, and had to be carried off the court.

A sportswriter on Twitter gave us the update we were all waiting for, saying, “I just spoke with LuHi’s Kiyan Anthony. He said, ‘Thought it was unintentional, but he kind of undercut me, and I fell on my back. I’m in a little bit of pain right now, but I should be all good.’” The writer added that Kiyan thinks he’ll only miss a few days for physical therapy. Crisis averted.

This injury scare comes on the heels of the 17-year-old’s major announcement, which is his commitment to Syracuse, where his dad, Carmelo Anthony, became a legend. On November 15, with his mom, La La Anthony, and Carmelo by his side, he revealed his choice during the “7PM in Brooklyn” show. 

The decision wasn’t just about the family legacy, though. Kiyan had plenty of options, with schools like USC, Auburn, and Florida State. But in the end, it was Syracuse’s coaching staff, particularly head coach Adrian Autry, who sealed the deal. “From day one, when they started recruiting me, they made me feel like it was family,” Melo’s son said.

And his bond with coach Autry is already solid. “We talk a lot, especially late at night, about how we can make Syracuse basketball great,” he shared. “Off the court, Coach is super cool. He connects with all his players; he’s very relatable.” Although his father’s has always been his inspiration, it also comes with pressure. 

Kiyan Anthony: Comparison was always there, but confidence is key

Being the son of a 10-time NBA All-Star with over 28,000 career points and an NCAA championship under his belt comes with its challenges. Kiyan’s been compared to his dad, Carmelo, since day one. 

“The struggle was real, especially in middle school and my freshman year in high school,” the LuHi star admitted. “But I started listening to my dad, trusted his words, and began to change into my own player.” At 6’5” and ranked No. 36 in ESPN’s class of 2025, Anthony is already one of the country’s best pure scorers.

He put up 19.6 points per game on the Nike EYBL circuit and lit up the Peach Jam with a 21.8-point average, including a 40-point performance. His coach at Long Island Lutheran, John Buck, has nothing but praise for him. “He is hardworking, eager to learn, and has developed into a strong leader here at LuHi. His gift for scoring is undeniable, and he’s improving on defense, too.”

While Kiyan is carving his path, he knows he’s different from his dad. “The biggest difference between me and my dad is that he was a straight-up bucket, a straight-up bully. I have scoring ability, but I can create for others.” Also, he is confident that he’d beat 16-year-old Carmelo one-on-one. 

“Nah, I’m frying him,” he laughed. So, now, with his injury scare behind him and a bright future ahead, all eyes are on Kiyan to see how he steps out of his dad’s shadow and makes a name for himself.