Kiyan Anthony’s Challenges Continue at Syracuse
Kiyan Anthony’s season with Syracuse took a disappointing turn on Saturday when he was benched for the first time this year.
After a tumultuous freshman year with the Orange, his benching came during a 72-59 defeat against No. 18 Virginia. Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry stated that this decision was entirely his own, emphasizing that it had nothing to do with any injuries.
Autry explained, “This is a strong, experienced team. It was my decision, nothing else.” This comment follows concerns surrounding Anthony, especially with his father, Carmelo Anthony—a Syracuse legend—expressing frustration over the team’s performance, including a recent loss to No. 14 North Carolina.
Carmelo even reacted to highlights from that game on Instagram, posting something like “SMFH,” clearly indicating his dissatisfaction.
Interestingly, Carmelo also plays a significant role in supporting the program, having contributed millions towards the creation of the basketball practice facilities that carry his name. Yet Autry maintained that Kiyan’s benching was strictly for the betterment of the team.
“There’s no story about this,” he added. “I just made a decision. That’s just the decision I made today.”
As for Kiyan, his season has been a bit of a mixed bag, averaging 8.9 points and shooting 41.6% from the field in about 19 minutes per game over 23 appearances. ESPN analysts recently suggested that he has the potential to develop into a strong player but emphasized the importance of patience in navigating the high expectations that come with being a legacy player.
As Terrence Oglesby put it, “This kid has the size and the ability. He still has a lot to learn.” Meanwhile, Seth Greenberg reminded everyone, “It’s all about doing the right thing and not letting others run your race.”
With the loss to Virginia, Syracuse has now stumbled, losing six of their last seven games and finding themselves in the lower tier of the ACC standings, currently holding a 13-11 record.
The team is set to face California next, hoping to turn things around.
