Kiyan Anthony is probably among the few sons of basketball legends who have shown great promise in recent times. After all, being the child of a famous athlete comes with a huge pressure of its own, and very few can live up to the expectations set on them. Oftentimes, it affects their performance adversely. In the case of Kiyan, he seems to be ready to take the next step in his budding basketball career. After his season, in which he averaged 15.9 points per game supported by 79 field goals, 31 three-pointers, and 66 free throws, he is planning to move on from Long Island Lutheran.
Now, Kiyan’s preparing for the next move: Syracuse. He announced his commitment last November on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast. His decision came with weight but also legacy. Coming off a season where he showcased his scoring ability, averaging 15.9 points per game with a solid shooting percentage and demonstrating a knack for both inside scoring and three-point range, Kiyan was expected to bring a versatile offensive skillset to the Syracuse roster.
“I just want him to go have fun. Go have fun, enjoy the college experience,” Carmelo said. He added, “I want him to develop, get better on the court… Now, it’s about basketball.” Carmelo believes that locking in at Syracuse will help Kiyan find focus. “It’s books and ball,” he said, highlighting the importance of staying grounded.
Syracuse fans were ready. They believed Kiyan’s commitment was a spark that could even lead to the start of something big. Alongside other top recruits, the future looked promising. But things took an unexpected turn. Eddie Lampkin, Syracuse’s powerhouse center, entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. That move raised eyebrows. Timing, after all, is everything.
Lampkin averaged 11.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, giving Syracuse toughness down low. Although it seems that his departure was not due to some internal conflicts and other such problems. “Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, I cannot return to Boulder,” he explained. “After talking to my family, it was the best decision to transfer.”
BREAKING: Syracuse center Eddie Lampkin has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, @PeteNakos_ reports.
The former TCU, Colorado 6-foot-11 big man averaged 11.5 points and 9.6 rebounds this seasonhttps://t.co/3nnzD92SJL pic.twitter.com/59RIOKItr5
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) April 6, 2025
Lampkin had experience, leadership, and grit: everything a young team needs. He said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase my skills… and become a better basketball player and person.” His absence changes the landscape. Kiyan will still arrive with excitement, but now he’ll step into a team missing its anchor. Will that cause a problem? Only time will tell.
Kiyan Anthony’s struggles at Chipotle Nationals
Kiyan Anthony walked into the Chipotle Nationals with high hopes, but sometimes, the spotlight flickers. Just recently left out of the McDonald’s All-American game, he had another shot here. Playing for Long Island Lutheran, a team packed with talent, you’d think this would be his moment. But then came Prolific Prep and Magic Johnson’s nephew, Mazi Mosley. That matchup didn’t go quite as planned for Kiyan. The inconsistency shown at the Chipotle Nationals, where he faced heightened expectations, could be further magnified as he joins a Syracuse team now lacking a key veteran presence, potentially placing more immediate pressure on him to contribute.
There’s always pressure when you carry a name like Anthony. People expect greatness before you even step on the court. And while Kiyan has shown flashes of brilliance, consistency is still the question. The Chipotle Nationals was supposed to be his statement game. Instead, it became another reminder that sometimes things just don’t go your way.
In a nail-biting quarterfinal, Prolific Prep stunned LuHi 80-77. The game turned into Mazi Mosley’s breakout. As The Hoop Spill shared, “LSU Commit Mazi Mosley who is the nephew of Magic Johnson came up big for Prolific Prep today…”. Finishing with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, he made every possession count. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective.
But the real damage came from Darryn Peterson. He exploded with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. That kind of stat line is hard to ignore. Meanwhile, Kiyan dropped 22 but not when it counted. He stayed scoreless in the fourth and overtime. Unfortunately, this played well in Mosley’s favor, in the end, he came out on top of Kiyan Anthony. So now we ask: Is Kiyan still carving his own path, or is the pressure becoming too heavy to carry?
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