Syracuse basketball legend Carmelo Anthony pushes back on criticism of son Kiyan’s freshman year appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Kiyan Anthony may not have had the breakout season Syracuse basketball was hoping for as a freshman. But his father Carmelo Anthony doesn’t think that makes the experience a failure.
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Anthony, Kiyan that is, was 18-years-old, going up against seasoned college basketball players. Heading into his sophomore season, his father believes Anthony has a much better understanding of what it takes to succeed at the college level, via All the Smoke, h/t Nick Kosko of On3.
“To me, it wasn’t a failure year for him,” Carmelo Anthony said. “It was something that any 18 year old kid is going to go through in college. Also, they’re not recruiting high school kids no more. You get what I’m saying? So, you’re being overwhelmed unless you top 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, you’re being overlooked anyway as a high school senior coming out into college. They don’t think you’re ready, they don’t think you’re mentally ready, they don’t think you’re physically ready, they just don’t think you’re ready.”
Over his 29 games as a freshman, Anthony averaged eight points and 1.4 rebounds per game, shooting 40 percent from the field, 25 percent from behind the arc and 63 percent at the free throw line. There were flashes of brilliance, like when the guard dropped 15+ points in his first three collegiate games. But his minutes played fluctuated throughout the season and he was unable to be a consistent force in the offense.
Still, Anthony has decided to return to Syracuse basketball. He’ll now be playing under a new head coach in Gerry McNamara. In the world of the transfer portal, Anthony must believe in what McNamara brings to the table and his ability to develop underneath him. Carmelo is staying confident as well, knowing exactly what his son brings to the court.
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