CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Syracuse Orange’s turbulent season took another dramatic turn Saturday afternoon as freshman guard Kiyan Anthony, son of legendary Syracuse alum Carmelo Anthony, did not see the court in the Orange’s 72-59 loss to No. 18 Virginia at John Paul Jones Arena. For the first time in his young collegiate career, Anthony logged a DNP—Did Not Play—despite being dressed and available on the bench.
The decision to bench Anthony was made by head coach Adrian Autry, who addressed the move in a postgame press conference. “No, no injury concerns. It was just, you know, my decision,” Autry stated. “(Virginia) is a physical team, an experienced team. And, you know, it was just my decision. It was nothing else, no injuries or anything like that, there’s no narratives about any of this stuff. Again, I just made the decision. That was my decision I made today.”
Anthony, who has averaged about 20 minutes per game this season, remained on the sidelines throughout the contest. Wearing his warmup jacket and tear-away pants, he offered only the occasional high-five or shout of encouragement to his teammates. For a player who’s been a regular fixture in the rotation, the sight of him sitting silent and motionless was a stark contrast to his usual presence. There was no indication of injury, and Autry made it clear that the call was tactical, not medical.
This move came on the heels of Syracuse’s tough 87-77 loss to No. 14 North Carolina earlier in the week, a game in which the Orange trailed by as many as 32 points before rallying late. Anthony scored 10 points in that contest, the fourth-highest mark on the team, but played only 16 minutes. The loss prompted Carmelo Anthony to voice his frustration publicly, commenting “SMFH” under an Instagram post featuring highlights from the game. The acronym, shorthand for “shaking my f—ing head,” underscored the elder Anthony’s disappointment with the team’s showing and perhaps the direction of the program.
Saturday’s benching of Kiyan Anthony fueled further speculation about his role and future with the Orange. Autry offered little in the way of specifics about the decision, reiterating only that it was based on the matchup with Virginia. “It was my decision,” he said. “This is a physical team, experienced team and it was just my decision. Nothing else. No injuries or anything like that. No narratives about any of this stuff. Again, I made a decision that was my decision today.”
Some observers have noted that Anthony’s playing time has steadily declined since the start of ACC play, despite his status as the team’s leading scorer off the bench. Through 23 games, including two starts, Anthony is averaging 8.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. His shooting numbers—41.6% from the field, 23.3% from three-point range, and 61.2% from the line—reflect both promise and inconsistency. While he’s shown flashes of shot-making ability, he’s also been criticized for ball-dominant tendencies and forced attempts, sometimes stalling the offense.
Coach Autry’s postgame comments hinted at a desire for more ball movement and defensive intensity, traits he saw in freshman guard Bryce Zephir, who logged eight minutes off the bench against Virginia. “(Zephir) is also a guy that is always looking to get everyone involved,” Autry said, emphasizing the need for players who facilitate rather than dominate possession. Zephir’s willingness to defend and distribute may have given him the edge in Autry’s rotation, at least for this matchup.
Anthony was not made available to the media after the game, leaving fans and analysts to parse the meaning behind his absence. Earlier in the week, he had spoken about his evolving role, expressing acceptance of coming off the bench behind upperclassmen J.J. Starling and Nate Kingz. “It’s nothing personal,” Anthony remarked. “It’s no hard feelings. The business is business at the end of the day. So if that’s what it got to be, then that’s what it got to be. But we definitely gotta do a better job of executing.”
Despite Anthony’s public composure, the optics of his first DNP of the season—especially following his father’s pointed social media commentary—have fueled conversation both inside and outside the program. Carmelo Anthony, who led Syracuse to its only national championship in 2003 and whose name adorns the school’s basketball practice facility, has been a visible supporter of his son throughout the season. His absence from the stands in Charlottesville was notable, as he’s been a regular presence at Kiyan’s games.
The Orange, now 13-11 overall and 4-7 in ACC play, are in the midst of a difficult stretch, having lost six of their last seven games. The team’s recent slide has put added pressure on Autry, himself a Syracuse legend as a player, who’s facing increased scrutiny as the Orange appear poised to miss the NCAA Tournament for a fifth consecutive season. The question of how to balance player development, team chemistry, and the expectations that come with coaching the son of a Hall of Famer has become a central storyline in what’s shaping up to be a challenging campaign.
For now, Autry is standing by his decision. “It’s no narratives about any of this stuff,” he reiterated. “I just made the decision. That was just my decision that I made today.” The coach’s insistence on keeping the focus on team needs rather than individual storylines is understandable, but with the Orange’s postseason hopes fading and the Anthony family legacy looming large, every choice is sure to be dissected by fans and media alike.
As for Kiyan Anthony, his response to the situation has been measured, at least publicly. After the Virginia game, he briefly liked an ESPN Instagram post highlighting his zero minutes and Autry’s comments before unliking it. The freshman’s future role remains uncertain, but his talent and pedigree suggest he’ll have more opportunities—if not this season, then down the line.
With the ACC schedule grinding on and Syracuse desperately searching for answers, all eyes will remain on the Orange’s backcourt rotation and the decisions of their embattled head coach. Whether Saturday’s benching marks a turning point or just another bump in a rocky season, one thing is clear: the Kiyan Anthony storyline is far from over.