Rutgers basketball extends offer to son of NBA great

Rutgers has entered the race for the son of one of the greatest players in modern NBA history.

The Scarlet Knights extended an offer to Kiyan Anthony, a four-star shooting guard in the 2025 recruiting class, on Tuesday, the prospect announced Tuesday. Steve Pikiell’s program joins Syracuse, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Indiana and more on the list of teams who offered the Long Island Lutheran star.

Anthony indicated to ZagsBlog that he intends to take at least one visit to Piscataway.

“They’re close to home,” Anthony told ZagsBlog. “My guys are going there, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. So I’m looking forward to — I have an open mind, looking forward to just going up there one day, taking a little hour and a half job, seeing what Rutgers is talking about, even if it’s unofficial, and then take my official after. I’m looking forward to that.”

Anthony told ZagsBlog that he will be dropping a list of his top five to six schools “as soon as next week” and that he’s looking to commit before his senior season starts this winter.

“October or November,” he said.

Anthony is the son of Carmelo Anthony, the former Knicks star who retired with the ninth-most points in NBA history. A 10-time NBA All-Star, Anthony played 19 years in the NBA, last playing during the 2021-22 season with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The No. 3 pick in the 2003 draft, Anthony was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2003 Final Fouf after leading Syracuse to the national championship in his lone college season. Internationally, he helped USA Basketball win Olympic gold three times — at Beijing in 2008, at London in 2012 and at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

But when he announced his retirement from the sport in 2023, he declared that his son Kiyan would be his legacy.

“People ask what I believe my legacy is. It’s not my feats on the court that come to mind, all the awards or praise,” Anthony said. “Because my story has always been more than basketball. My legacy, my son … I will forever continue through you. The time has come for you to carry this torch.”

Kiyan Anthony played a game at Jersey Mike’s Arena in December of 2022, which his father watched from his courtside seat. He also featured at the City of Palms Classic last December, where he faced off against future Rutgers star Dylan Harper. Carmelo Anthony was in attendance, and he had high praise for Harper month later in a brief interview with NJ Advance Media.

“I’ve just loved his development,” Anthony told NJ Advance Media. “From what I’ve seen him from the ninth grade until now, the way he is taking control of the games, the way he is becoming the floor leader, the general out there, and also the way he is getting his guys involved, I think Rutgers has something special coming there next year.”

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Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.