Syracuse Benches Struggling Kiyan Anthony in Disappointing Setback
Kiyan Anthony, a freshman on the Syracuse basketball team, experienced a significant setback this past Saturday. For the first time in the season, he was benched by head coach Adrian Autry during a 72-59 defeat against No. 18 Virginia. This decision comes amidst a challenging campaign for Anthony, who has struggled to find his footing.
Kiyan Anthony’s Bench Decision Explained
Coach Autry clarified that there were no injury issues influencing his choice. “It was just my decision,” he stated after the game. “This is a physical team, experienced team.”
Carmelo Anthony’s Support
Kiyan’s father, Carmelo Anthony, a Syracuse legend and Hall of Famer, has been openly concerned about the team’s performance this season. After a loss to No. 14 North Carolina, he expressed frustration on social media, commenting “SMFH” on Syracuse basketball’s Instagram highlights. Despite this, he remained positive about his son’s growth following the benching.
A Encouraging Note from Carmelo
- Carmelo reassured fans on an ESPN post, saying, “He’ll be good! THEY SAY it’s part of the journey. A little adversity don’t hurt.”
Performance and Future Outlook
Kiyan Anthony’s performance this season has been inconsistent. He is averaging 8.9 points per game with a shooting percentage of 41.6, playing around 19.3 minutes over 23 games.
Experts Weigh In
ESPN analysts Terrence Oglesby and Seth Greenberg shared insights on Kiyan’s future. Oglesby noted, “This is a kid who’s got size, who has ability. He does still have a lot to learn.” Greenberg emphasized the importance of patience, suggesting that being a legacy player brings added pressure.
Syracuse’s Position in the ACC
The defeat against Virginia marks a troubling trend for Syracuse, as they have lost six of their last seven games. Their record stands at 13-11, placing them in the lower half of the Atlantic Coast Conference standings.
Upcoming Matches
Syracuse will look to rebound in their next matchup against California on Wednesday. The team aims to regroup and find momentum as the season progresses.
