As Kiyan Anthony embarks on his senior season, he’s preparing to bid farewell to high school as a member of the Class of 2025. The Long Island Lutheran standout is at a crossroads, weighing his collegiate options without making a final decision. Meanwhile, his rival, Cooper Flagg, is gearing up for the NCAA tournament with the Duke Blue Devils. However, it looks like Kiyan Anthony has his sights set on not only carving out his path but also eclipsing Flagg’s rising fame and buzz in the world of college basketball.

Recently, the 17-year-old athlete appeared on the Unapologetically Angel podcast, hosted by Chicago Sky star Angel Reese. Towards the near end of the episode, Reese seized the moment to inquire about his goals for his senior year in high school as he prepared to transition into college basketball. “What’s your goals for the season?,” the Chi-Town Barbie asked. 

Well, Anthony’s response was quite straightforward as he said, “For my senior year, I’m trying to win Gatorade… Gatorade Player of the Year.” While it was alone, a strong statement from former NBA star Carmelo Anthony’s son, Angel Reese, wasn’t done yet. She probed further, listing other prestigious accolades like McDonald’s and Jordan, to which Kiyan eagerly nodded in agreement.

“Facts those are my goals then I’m just trying to win like as a team we got a lot of tournaments we can win and then a national championship,” the 4-star guard concluded. 

Interestingly, this year, the coveted Gatorade Player of the Year award went to none other than Cooper Flagg, who is preparing to make his debut with the Duke Blue Devils in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Flagg, a five-star recruit, has made quite a name for himself in high school basketball. In fact, Kiyan Anthony faced Flagg’s powerhouse team, Montverde Academy, in a tough matchup, where they suffered a defeat. Montverde took home the title at the 50th annual City of Palms Classic, solidifying their status as the top team.

Therefore, Anthony’s ambitions are clear: he aims to match and even surpass everything Cooper Flagg has accomplished. Their rivalry could probably push Anthony to outshine Flagg’s college record this season. While a direct matchup remains uncertain since Flagg is likely headed to the NBA next year, all eyes will be on Kiyan as he rises to the occasion and strives to eclipse Flagg’s success at Duke.

While Kiyan Anthony and Cooper Flagg started out in the Class of 2025, Flagg proceeded to reclassify himself to 2024, allowing him to jump into the professional basketball community sooner. He committed to the Duke Blue Devils last year, setting the stage for his collegiate career. In contrast, Anthony still keeps fans on the edge of their seats, as he hasn’t announced his college destination just yet. It leaves everyone eager to find out where he’ll take his talents next.

Kiyan Anthony reveals the deciding factor while weighing his college options

Kiyan Anthony remains aware everyone eagerly anticipates his decision to attend Syracuse, especially since it was his father’s alma mater. But, he’s ensured he hasn’t committed just yet. “Even though I know basically the whole world wants me to go to Syracuse, I still haven’t made the decision yet,” Kiyan said earlier. However, as he looked at his options, he narrowed it down to three top contenders: USC, Auburn, and Syracuse.

Well, Anthony’s recent appearance on Angel Reese’s podcast introduced another significant element that could play a crucial role in his decision-making process.

“Just like what coaches been on me the latest and where I could go in right away. And you know, see growth, and where I could develop my game, and just try to win like whatever the coaches tell me. Like they can see me playing where my role is all of that goes into. Like, you know, where I choose. So I still got a couple weeks to decide, decide, but it’s getting close… It’s no pressure but I feel it, though. I can hear it. I can hear everybody talk about it. Everybody talking, everybody wants to know where Kiyan going,” Anthony stated.

Kiyan Anthony’s college decision is becoming increasingly significant as he embarks on his senior season. Among his three potential schools, Syracuse holds a special emotional connection for him; it’s the alma mater of his father, NBA legend Carmelo Anthony. However, the pressure is on Kiyan as he aims not only to finalize his choice but also to outshine his rival, Cooper Flagg. Fans are buzzing with anticipation, eager to see where Kiyan’s journey takes him next!