"Lot of pressure”: Kiyan Anthony makes major admission on following his HOF dad’s Syracuse legacy

Kiyan Anthony continues to follow in his Hall of Famer father, Carmelo Anthony’s footsteps and is already making headlines and his Syracuse debut on Nov. 3 signals that his journey is just beginning.

Kiyan was born in 2007, so he caught the primer years of dad's glittering career, with his earliest memories watching him turn out for Knicks games at Madison Square Garden and other teams afterward.

The 18-year-old spoke candidly about the emotional pressure of coming from a basketball royalty family and how he is forging his own path with pride and his unique perspective.

“It’s definitely overwhelming,” Kiyan said in an interview with The Daily Orange, an independent newspaper based in Syracuse. “I’m not even gonna lie and sit here like it’s a bed of roses. It’s definitely a lot of pressure.”

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Being the son of one of the NBA's most well-known players comes with its own set of expectations. Adding to that, his mother, La La Anthony, is another renowned figure in the entertainment industry.

Boosting a 1.1 million Instagram following, Kiyan Anthony has certainly been getting the movie-star treatment. He's often being mobbed by fans asking for autographs and photos but he doesn't let that go to his head.

“My dad, he just kept me level-headed,” Kiyan said. “He always says to act as normal as possible, don’t show any entitlement, be humble, and learn every day.”

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Kiyan Anthony braces for tough journey

Kiyan Anthony had multiple other programs to represent, but has chosen to play for Syracuse, his father’s alma mater. The decision strengthens the family legacy tied to the iconic orange that Carmelo Anthony made famous.

Carmelo led Syracuse to its only NCAA title in 2003. He played only one year at the school and still had his number retired in 2013.

The parallels are strong, but game-wise, not so much. Carmelo had 37 points in his exhibition debut, while Kiyan fell well below that but still had a lively start.

The freshman scored 10 points in his Orange debut off the bench against Buffalo, followed by 9 points on 2-of-5 shooting with two steals, an assist, and a block in the final exhibition game against The Pace on Thursday.

The road ahead won’t be easy for Kiyan. The talent is undeniable, but so are the expectations. Every move, game and gesture will be compared to his father. So far, the young star seems unfazed, focused on learning and enjoying the game.

Edited by Mervin LR