LuHi’s season opener promised electrifying action, but for Kiyan Anthony, it came with a shocking twist. The Syracuse commit and rising basketball star delivered an impressive performance in Long Island Lutheran’s (LuHi) first game of the 2024–2025 season, only for a hard fall to leave fans holding their breath. As the team gears up to face Chaminade on December 3, Anthony’s availability remains uncertain, leaving LuHi to adjust without their star guard.

LuHi’s championship aspirations started strong with a commanding 74–35 victory over St. Joseph’s Collegiate at Visscher Gym. Kiyan Anthony shone brightly, contributing 16 points while scoring a highlight-worthy dunk in the fourth quarter. However, moments later, the young guard found himself on his back after a highly contested mid-air shot against St. Joseph’s Nate Blenmanas.

Recalling the injury, Anthony would later state in his interview with Newsday that “Being in the air and realizing you don’t have your feet under you is always a scary feeling,” Although Kiyan would later reassure fans in a post-game press conference by stating, “I’m in a little bit of pain right now, but I should be all good.” further concerns were raised when Anthony told Newsday that he was facing soreness in three areas of discomfort — tailbone, hamstring, and “lower back is super tight right now.”

However, with Initial assessments from LuHi coach John Buck made it clear that it was minor “It’ll take some time… but we’ll get him some treatment. It doesn’t look like anything major.” It’s also an indication that maybe Kiyan will not be able to show up for Long Island Lutheran’s second game of the season on December 3 against Chaminade. Anthony’s absence could leave a void in LuHi’s lineup, especially given his standout performance against Chaminade last season.

A performance that left basketball analyst Cullen Honohan particularly impressed, enough to remark, “Against Chaminade, Kiyan absolutely took over the gym, in front of his mom and dad. Kiyan may have scoring in his blood, but what impressed me the most was how versatile his points come.”

Honohan further emphasized Anthony’s toughness and skill, stating, “He had tough drive after tough drive, bodying defenders to the rack and cashing in with some of the toughest finishes of the night.”

Injury recovery: A crucial phase for players like Anthony

While Anthony appears optimistic about a quick return, injury management is crucial. Lower back injuries, particularly for athletes with explosive styles, require careful handling to avoid long-term setbacks. The importance of thorough rehab was underscored recently by UConn coach Geno Auriemma. Speaking to FOX61 Sports Director Jonah Karp, Auriemma expressed frustration with the inadequate recovery practices for high school athletes

“A lot of the issues these kids have, when they have issues in high school, they’re not addressed the way they need to be addressed,” Auriemma noted. “We do more testing now of those kids coming out of high school, so we know more now before they get here. But all that does is tell us what we have to work on.”

These comments highlight the challenges players like Anthony face as they balance high school and impending collegiate careers. Ensuring Anthony’s full recovery now will not only safeguard his immediate future but also prepare him for the demands of college basketball at Syracuse.

Despite the injury scare, Kiyan Anthony’s trajectory remains upward. Ranked No. 36 in ESPN’s class of 2025, the 6’5” guard has proven himself a versatile and dynamic scorer. On the Nike EYBL circuit, he averaged 19.6 points per game, with standout moments at the Peach Jam, including a 40-point game.

As LuHi prepares for their December 3 matchup against Chaminade, the team’s focus remains on sustaining momentum while giving Anthony the time he needs to recover. Whether or not Anthony takes the court, the season holds great promise for the young star.