Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, delivered a statement performance at the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic following discussions about his exclusion from another prestigious event. The Syracuse-bound star scored 26 points on 11 of 15 shooting with five rebounds, earning MVP honors as Team Air defeated Team Flight 141-124.
The standout showing came after Anthony responded to Gilbert Arenas’ comments about his McDonald’s All-American Game snub with a pointed Instagram message: “I made that list. @no.chill.gil.” His post garnered support from his mother La La Anthony, who commented, “Love you!!!!!❤️❤️❤️,” in a show of maternal pride.
Syracuse-Bound Star Kiyan Anthony Outshines Nation’s Top Recruits
Kiyan Anthony’s MVP performance proved impressive considering the elite competition. The Syracuse signee outplayed several higher-ranked prospects, including No. 3 Cameron Boozer and No. 2 Darryn Peterson, who both finished with just 10 points despite their loftier recruiting status.
The game featured an impressive collection of talent, with No. 1 overall recruit AJ Dybantsa contributing 25 points and nine rebounds, while Caleb Wilson led all scorers with 28 points. Yet Anthony’s efficient scoring and impact earned him the highest individual honor, validating his standing among the nation’s elite prospects.
View this post on Instagram
Gilbert Arenas had previously advocated for Anthony on his podcast saying, “The king of New York was not invited to the McDonald’s All-American game in New York” and suggesting organizers could have “squeezed” him in despite ranking considerations.
“Sometimes you just got to look the other way like I get the semantics in it, I get it you know it’s all about ranking and where you are,” Arenas stated emphasizing how Anthony’s presence would have elevated the event in New York City.
Arenas also noted how such omissions can motivate players.
“These type of things they hurt in the moment but it gives you something to kind of look at and say ‘Okay they didn’t believe I was better than this name this name this name.’ And I’m just going to show you,” Arenas said.
KEEP READING: Who Were The Big Winners and Losers at the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic?
Anthony’s performance did exactly that proving his abilities against the nation’s best talent while earning support from family and basketball figures.
His Instagram post and MVP showing demonstrate how the young prospect has channeled disappointment into determination, setting the stage for his career at Syracuse – the same program where his father became a college basketball legend.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
