High School Hoops: Kiyan Anthony Shines Against Oak Hill
March 5, 2025, 07:33 PM ET
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — It’s been over two decades since Carmelo Anthony graced the high school basketball courts, but his legacy continues to echo through the halls of Oak Hill Academy. Now, as a retired NBA superstar, Carmelo has transitioned from scoring buckets to guiding them, watching from the sidelines as his son, Kiyan Anthony, carves out his own path in the world of high school basketball.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith, the legendary coach of Oak Hill Academy, sits courtside with a serene demeanor, his legs crossed and arms folded, as he observes the Warriors take on Long Island Lutheran in the opening round of the Nike EYBL Scholastic conference tournament. “It’s a little different now,” Smith reflects, now serving as assistant commissioner of the EYBL Scholastic. “But, for me, it’s a good different. Less stress these days.”
Back in 2002, Carmelo Anthony was the heart and soul of Oak Hill, leading the team to a remarkable 32-1 record while averaging 21.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Fast forward to today, and the torch has been passed to his son, Kiyan, who is making waves as the star guard for Long Island Lutheran.
On Wednesday, Kiyan faced a unique challenge: playing against his father’s alma mater. The instructions from Carmelo were straightforward yet impactful. “He said, ‘you’re playing Oak Hill today so you gotta get to it,'” Kiyan recalls. Ranked No. 32 overall in the ESPN 100 Class of 2025 rankings, Kiyan rose to the occasion, leading all scorers with 25 points in the Crusaders’ 71-61 victory, all under the watchful eyes of a row full of NBA scouts.
This game marked the second encounter between the two teams this season. Long Island Lutheran had previously dominated Oak Hill with a 76-41 win just 19 days earlier. “I just love the game, so I’m always locked in and competing at the highest level is fun to me,” Kiyan shares. “But, yeah, it’s definitely cool to be able to play against my dad’s old school and get the win.”
Carmelo Anthony was a lively presence during the Crusaders’ second-half surge, leaping from his seat to celebrate big shots and offering pointers from his courtside vantage point. “Coaching Melo and now seeing his son at the same point have similar success is pretty cool to say the least,” Smith comments. “They have similarities; they can both shoot it from anywhere consistently and they both have amazing footwork. I can see that his work ethic is like his dad too. Guys like him usually make it.”
In a move that mirrors his father’s journey, Kiyan committed to Syracuse in November, choosing the Orange over USC. Read more about Kiyan’s decision here. This decision echoes a similar choice he nearly made a few years back when considering his high school options.
“I was really considering Oak Hill,” Kiyan admits. “We were looking at it, but my dad wanted me to stay home with me being younger, but, yeah, Oak Hill was a real option back then.”
When informed about the potential connection that could have been, Smith, who retired in 2022, chuckled and widened his eyes, perhaps envisioning the addition to his impressive record of 1,232 wins and nine national titles. “Wow, I don’t remember talking to Melo about that,” Smith says. “I’ll tell you what, I would’ve taken him!”
- Kiyan Anthony scored 25 points against Oak Hill.
- Long Island Lutheran defeated Oak Hill 71-61.
- Kiyan is ranked No. 32 in the ESPN 100 Class of 2025.
- Carmelo Anthony is a retired NBA superstar.
- Steve Smith is the assistant commissioner of the EYBL Scholastic.
Originally Written by: Jason Jordan
