It may seem a bit paradoxical to write a story about something that isn’t a story, but the
truth of the matter is, the Kiyan Anthony Syracuse benching is about nothing more than
name recognition. Famous names get clicks, so famous names make headlines. It
could be about how Tom Cruise bought a leather jacket, how Bad Bunny likes Taylor
Swift music, or, in this case, it’s about how Carmelo Anthony’s son didn’t play one
game.

In a 72-59 loss to the Virginia Cavaliers, Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry chose not
to play his freshman, later explaining it was a coach’s decision and had nothing to do
with an injury.

“No injury concerns. It was just my decision. This is a physical team, an experienced
team. It was just my decision. No injuries or anything like that.” – Adrian Autry on Kiyan
Anthony decision

It was the first game all year that Anthony didn’t play, but it’s not like he was playing a
ton of minutes anyway. He is averaging just over 19 minutes per game, and only 16
minutes per game in the last five contests. In the last five games, he’s also shooting just
36.7% from the field, 25% from three, and averaging less than a rebound and assist per
game.

Kiyan Anthony Syracuse Recruitment And Season

Coming out of high school, Anthony was a four-star recruit and picked the Orangemen
over Auburn and Florida State. This was most likely a legacy decision, since his father
won a national championship with Syracuse in 2003. Whatever the reason, Anthony did
not come into the season ready to dominate the Big East and college basketball in
general.

Anthony’s best games this season have come against powder puff opponents, and he’s
struggled in conference and against ranked teams. His last five games are an indication
that maybe he is getting worn out, or maybe that he isn’t fit to play major minutes
against top competition. Carmelo didn’t take it lightly, posting on social media “SMFH”.
Of course, despite being a former NBA superstar, Melo defending his son is no different
than the washed-up high school dad calling for his kid to play every minute of the
football game.

If Syracuse can make a late-season run and end up in the NCAA tournament, it’s highly
likely that Anthony will find himself playing fewer minutes each game and possibly even
getting benched again. That won’t be a story either, or it shouldn’t be. Anthony is a
freshman who needs more work and more time in the weight room to compete at the
Division | level.

What may end up being a story this summer is Anthony choosing to transfer to a school
that offers him more minutes. It won’t be a national powerhouse like Duke or Michigan,
though. If Anthony wants to play more minutes than he does at Syracuse, he will have
to look at a school like VCU, Cal, Cincinnati, or Xavier. Either that, or he is going to have
to suck it up and get better, like every other college basketball player who doesn’t have
a famous dad.