Seems like Syracuse legend and former NBA player Carmelo Anthony is not so happy with the progress of his alma mater. Most particularly, it concerns Anthony even more since his son Kiyan Anthony is now a freshman playing for the Orange as a freshman. After the Orange’s recent 87-77 loss to North Carolina, Melo let his disappointment known with a comment under an in-game highlight posted to the team’s official Instagram page. He wrote,
“SMFH.”
This loss marked one of the lowest points for head coach Adrian Autry so far. Syracuse has now dropped five of its last six games and have fallen to a 13-10 overall record. The team’s struggles are backed by alarming statistics, including ranking 363rd out of 365 Division I teams in free-throw shooting and sitting at the bottom of the ACC in both offensive rebounding and turnover percentage. This regression is particularly significant given Anthony’s deep investment in the program beyond leading them to a national title in 2003. Melo was the one who funded the team’s practice facility. Besides, Kiyan Anthony scored 10 points against the Tar Heels, navigating an up-and-down freshman campaign amid the team’s wider performance issues.
Following the game, Coach Autry acknowledged the need for immediate improvement, stating that the team must find greater consistency on both sides of the ball to salvage the season. Despite the mounting losses, Autry expressed confidence in his group, though the path forward remains difficult. Syracuse faces a challenging schedule ahead, with upcoming matchups against formidable opponents including Virginia, Duke, and a rematch with North Carolina.
Kiyan Anthony Maintains His Cool Despite Dad’s Furious Comment
Kiyan Anthony has confirmed that he is keeping a cool head and remains “super OK” despite his father’s furious comments after Syracuse’s recent loss. He insists he understands the business nature of college basketball and hence remarked,
“It’s nothing personal. It’s no hard feelings. The business is business at the end of the day. So if that’s what it got to be, then that’s what it got to be. But we definitely gotta do a better job of executing.”
The freshman believes he handled his early opportunities well when JJ Starling was injured. However, his minutes have dropped and he is struggling with his shooting efficiency. Despite this, Kiyan feels he should remain a focal point of the offense alongside the team’s veterans.
“I don’t think it’s like five or six people that really need the ball in their hands, but definitely like two or three that we get the ball to, myself included,” Kiyan added.
Unlike his father, Kiyan is not expected to be one-and-done prospect. He has accepted that he faces a significant learning curve and must fight for minutes to help the struggling Orange turn their season around.
Read:
“It’s a Shame”: Mick Cronin’s Frustrations Reach Boiling Point as CBB Mirrors MLB
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
