CBB Recruiting: Kiyan Anthony Date, UNC Lands Denis, 5-Star Reacts to Acaden Lewis

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVNovember 3, 2024

David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

There was no shortage of college basketball recruiting news on Saturday.

Dushawn London of 247Sports reported Kiyan Anthony, who is the son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, will decide between finalists Syracuse, USC and Auburn on Nov. 15.

Other top prospects made their decisions, as Joe Tipton of On3 reported Isaiah Denis chose North Carolina, while ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi noted Acaden Lewis chose Kentucky.

Caleb Wilson—who is a 5-star prospect and the No. 5 overall player in the 2025 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings—seemed to be intrigued by the Lewis news:

Caleb Wilson @CalebWilson2025👀👀👀

Anthony stands out because of his famous father, but he is also a 4-star prospect and the No. 28 overall player in the class of 2025, per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He is a playmaker with star potential in his own right and will elevate the ceiling of whichever program he chooses.

That Syracuse is on the list is notable, as his father led the Orange to the national championship during his one collegiate season in 2002-03. The elder Anthony was a consensus All-American and the NCAA tournament’s Most Outstanding Player for a Syracuse team that won the Big East regular season title and the national title.

The younger Anthony would have quite the legacy to live up to, but he would also instantly be a fan favorite at Syracuse given that history and his own potential as a scorer and offensive playmaker.

While Syracuse, USC and Auburn will hope to land Anthony as an impact recruit later this month, North Carolina already did so with Denis.

The 4-star recruit is the No. 62 overall player in the class of 2025, per 247Sports’ composite rankings, and gives the Tar Heels a solid future backcourt in this cycle alongside Derek Dixon. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them both getting out in transition and making plays for North Carolina in the ACC in the near future.

North Carolina also won’t have to worry about Lewis playing for its rival Duke, as Borzello and Biancardi noted he chose Kentucky over the Blue Devils and UConn. Landing the 4-star prospect, per 247Sports’ composite rankings, was a significant development for Wildcats head coach Mark Pope as he begins his new job.

“Pope is not only a great basketball mind but a genuine person,” Lewis said. “He’s impressed me talking basketball and also his philanthropy efforts have impressed and intrigued me as well.”

It also caught the attention of Wilson, who remains uncommitted as one of the best players in the class.