In a commanding semifinal showdown on March 28, Syracuse commit Kiyan Anthony delivered a stellar 17-point performance, leading the Crusaders to a decisive 83-56 victory over the Bears.
The son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony showcased his scoring prowess, shooting an efficient 54.5% from the field, while drawing comparisons to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant from spectators.
The matchup at The Throne saw the Crusaders control the tempo from the opening tip, building a seven-point first quarter lead that expanded to a 31-point advantage by the fourth quarter.
Kiyan’s smooth scoring ability and game management validated his top 50 recruit status, as some fans have started calling him “a younger Ja (Morant)” because of his combination of control and scoring instinct.
Father’s Legacy, Kiyan Anthony’s Journey
Following in his father’s footsteps, Kiyan committed to Syracuse University in November 2024 the same program where Carmelo led the Orange to a national championship in 2003. The 6’5″ shooting guard’s decision came after fielding offers from powerhouse programs including Indiana, Michigan and Florida State.
“Less dribbles more baskets. We making the game easy and not hard! Efficient work!” read one comment on Anthony’s performance highlighting the young star’s basketball IQ.
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While his father’s legacy looms large, Syracuse’s practice facility is even named the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center. Kiyan continues carving his own identity with performances like Thursday’s semifinal showcase.
The Bears struggled throughout the contest, shooting just 34.5% from the field compared to the Crusaders’ impressive 50%. Kiyan Anthony’s 17 points came alongside contributions from teammates Nico Onyekwere with 19 points and 7 rebounds and James Nigel with 14 points and 14 rebounds, showcasing the Crusaders’ balanced attack.
“Bro is nice for real. He plays like Jordan Poole without being too fancy with the rock,” commented one observer.
“Kiyan looks so much like a younger Ja I never noticed this until now,” another observer commented, highlighting the physical and stylistic similarities between Anthony and the explosive NBA All-Star.
The “Younger Ja” nickname has stuck with Anthony, partly due to physical similarities but mainly because of his playing style. Like Morant, Anthony possesses an impressive combination of controlled aggression, court vision and finishing ability.
In this semifinal matchup, he demonstrated the same efficient decision-making that has become Morant’s hallmark: knowing when to attack and when to distribute.
KEEP READING: Syracuse Basketball Transfer Portal: Full List of Players Entering and Exiting
As Anthony prepares for his Orange debut next season, his performance in this crucial semifinal victory offers further evidence of his readiness for the college stage. The Crusaders dominated every facet of the game, from points in the paint (48-14) to points off turnovers (24), with Anthony serving as the catalyst.
His combination of efficiency, basketball IQ and scoring touch continues to generate excitement among Syracuse fans, eager to see if the son can match or perhaps even exceed his father’s legendary impact on the program.
With each commanding performance like this semifinal showcase, Anthony proves his game, though reminiscent of “a younger Ja,” is becoming distinctly his own.
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