Carmelo Anthony knows exactly what it means to be a McDonald’s All-American. Back in 2002, he didn’t just play in the game—he owned it, proving to the world that he was one of the best high school players in the country. His son, Kiyan Anthony, was supposed to have that same moment. He worked for it, earned his spot as the top-ranked player in New York for the class of 2025, and had the talent to back it up. But when the final McDonald’s All-American Game roster was announced, his name was nowhere to be found. The reason? Well, Melo has his own take on that.

Now, before you assume this is just another case of a famous dad throwing a tantrum because his kid didn’t get picked for the cool-kids club, remember that Melo wasn’t pulling the “Do you know who I am?” card. He genuinely believes Kiyan deserved that spot—and he came with receipts.

Days have passed since the announcement, but the frustration still lingers. In a recent episode of 7PM in Brooklyn, Carmelo didn’t hold back. “They jerked us,” he said, calling out what he sees as a broken selection process.  “I think he (Kiyan) deserved to make it. No bias shit. 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 fair point. Kiyan isn’t just a solid player; he’s a Syracuse-commit solid player. The Orange—where Melo won an NCAA title—aren’t in the business of handing out scholarships like free samples at Costco. They clearly see Kiyan’s potential, so why didn’t the McDonald’s 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,” Melo explained, his pride for his son unmistakable. Now, this is the same committee that, over the years, has made some questionable choices. In 2019, five-star recruit Keion Brooks was left off the roster despite being a highly regarded prospect. The decision is not surprising then, is it?

On the surface, the explanation seems simple: the McDonald’s All-American selection rules require players to compete in at least 50% of their senior season. Kiyan Anthony, unfortunately, missed over two months due to an injury in November, making him automatically ineligible. End of story, right? Not so fast.

Kiyan didn’t just return from injury—he came back stronger. He elevated his game in the EYBL circuit, averaging 19.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He went off at the Top 100 Camp, leading all scorers with an average of 28.5 points over eight games, including a 42-point explosion that turned heads. And when Carmelo Anthony said, “They jerked us,” he wasn’t just being a proud dad. He knows firsthand how important the McDonald’s All-American Game can be—it helped boost his own career, giving him a national stage before his legendary one-and-done season at Syracuse.

So, Kiyan did deserve the spot, right? Okay, let’s break it down.

• He’s the No. 1 player in New York. ✅
• He’s committed to a top-tier basketball program. ✅
• He has NBA genes. Double ✅
• He missed some games due to injury but still balled out when he played. ✅

Would he have made it if he had a full, injury-free season? Most likely. Did the selection committee follow the rules? Technically, yes. But should the rules have some flexibility for exceptional players? That’s the million-dollar question. So, fair to say that Melo is not just upset for Kiyan. He’s calling out a system that prioritizes technicalities over talent, rules over reality.

But let’s be honest—missing out on a McDonald’s All-American jersey won’t make much difference if he drops 30 points on the very players who made the team over him. Now that would be poetic justice, and with his confidence, he can certainly do it.

Kiyan Anthony took the snub better than his father—and proved why he belongs

We don’t know if the snub was supposed to shake him. We do know, however, that it fueled him. Kiyan’s performances on the court didn’t just silence doubters—they solidified his future. After weighing his options for years and narrowing down a list of 10 potential schools, he finally made his long-awaited commitment to Syracuse University. But this wasn’t just about carrying on his father’s legacy—it was about where he felt he belonged.

He announced his decision in a way that felt deeply personal—on his father’s podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, surrounded by both of his parents, Carmelo and La La Anthony. His final three choices came down to Syracuse, Auburn, and USC, but in the end, it was the relationships he built with the Syracuse coaching staff that sealed the deal.

“From day one, they made me feel like family,” Kiyan said.

While Syracuse holds a special place in basketball history—largely thanks to Carmelo leading them to their only NCAA Championship in 2003—Kiyan made one thing clear: he’s not trying to be his father. He’s trying to be himself.

And he’s right, too. Comparisons to Carmelo have followed him at every step, but he’s spent years working to develop his own style of play. He admitted that the pressure was tough early on, especially in middle school and during his freshman year of high school.

“The struggle was real,” he said. “But I started listening to my dad, trusting his words, and developing my own routine. I changed into my own player.” And that player? He’s different from Carmelo. “My dad was a straight-up bucket, a bully on the court. I can score, but I also create for others.”

Kiyan’s decision to join Syracuse marks the start of a new chapter—not just for the program but for himself. While fans are excited to see him wear the Orange, this is bigger than just basketball. It’s about carving out his own legacy while honoring the one that came before him. And whether or not he ever got his name on a McDonald’s All-American roster? That doesn’t matter anymore.