Indiana Offers Kiyan Anthony, Son of NBA Star Carmelo Anthony
In this story:
Former New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton once described Mike Woodson as an old school coach who knows how to change with the times.
Woodson has experienced every aspect of the basketball world, from playing for coach Bob Knight at Indiana from 1976-80, to his 11-year NBA playing career, subsequent decades coaching in the NBA and recent return to his alma mater.
He's found success at each level, winning a Big Ten title, scoring over 10,000 points in the NBA, winning an NBA championship as an assistant coach, plus multiple trips to the playoffs as a head coach, and now, back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances coaching the Hoosiers.
One of the most drastic changes in Woodson's career has been the most recent – adjusting to the college game after years in the NBA, recruiting high school talent and navigating the transfer portal.
As Woodson looks ahead to Indiana's future, he's rekindling a connection from his past. On Monday night, Kiyan Anthony, the son of NBA star Carmelo Anthony, announced he received a scholarship offer from Indiana. Woodson coached Carmelo on the New York Knicks from 2011-14, a stretch that included two NBA playoff appearances.
Kiyan is a 6-foot-4, four-star shooting guard in the class of 2025. He's ranked No. 62 in the nation by 247Sports and currently holds offers from Illinois, Memphis, Providence, Seton Hall, Syracuse, Tennessee and others. Kiyan attends Christ The King Regional High School in Middle Village, N.Y.
Woodson and Carmelo's time together started when Woodson was an assistant in 2011-12, a year before the Denver Nuggets traded Carmelo to the Knicks. Woodson took over for Mark D'Antoni as the Knicks' interim head coach March 14, 2012. The Knicks went 18-6 under Woodson and reached the first round of the NBA playoffs.
In Woodson's first full season as New York's head coach in 2012-13, the Knicks went 54-28, which remains their most wins since the 1996-97 season. Carmelo won the NBA scoring title that year, averaging 28.7 points and finishing third place in MVP voting behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
After a first-round series win over the Boston Celtics, Woodson, Carmelo and the Knicks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the second round. The Knicks fired Woodson following the 2013-14 season, when the team went 37-45 and missed the playoffs.
New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson talks with small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second quarter at Amway Center.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Despite a disappointing end to an otherwise successful tenure, Woodson received high praise from Carmelo and other former Knicks.
"I'll back him," Anthony said three days before Woodson was fired. "If he needs my recommendation, whether it's here or anywhere else, I'll back him. I have nothing bad to say about Mike Woodson. I support him. For me as a player, I had some of my best years under Mike Woodson, so I would never have anything bad to say about Mike Woodson."
Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire gave Woodson his vote of confidence, too.
"With coach Woodson, I learned the most defensively than any other coach I've been coached by," Stoudemire said three days before Woodson was fired. "I picked up so many great things defensively from coach Woodson. He did a great job as far as teaching the game of basketball."
On Nov. 16, 2022, when Carmelo was hoping to be signed by a new team, Woodson clearly thought the future Hall of Fame talent could still contribute at a high level.
"Let me tell you, if I was still coaching in that league, he'd be on my team," Woodson said. "That's just how much respect and love I have for Carmelo Anthony and the body of work he's put into that league. I don't think that's a question. Somebody might give him a shot to come back that needs a guy because I still think he can get you 15 to 20 points a night if it is coming off the bench, you've just got to utilize him. I've got nothing but love for Carmelo. I think he's gotten a bad wrap over the years, and I would love to see him back in the game. I still think it's good for the game to have him around, but only time will tell."
Woodson's strong relationship seems to have had an impact All-American forward Trayce Jackson-Davis' decision to return for his senior year in 2022-23, too.
"Carmelo Anthony, he told me [Mike Woodson] was his favorite coach that he's ever played for," Jackson-Davis said on May 23, 2022. "I can see why now."
Related stories on Indiana basketball
- INDIANA, KANSAS FINALISTS FOR MGBAKO: 2023 five-star recruit Mackenzie Mgbako cancelled his visit to Louisville and will decide between Indiana and Kansas. CLICK HERE
- MUSTAF PLANS VISIT TO INDIANA: Indiana will host an official visit for class of 2024 four-star guard Jaeden Mustaf on June 8-10. CLICK HERE
- MGBAKO PICTURED AT INDIANA: Mackenzie Mgbako, a five-star recruit in the class of 2023, took an official visit to Indiana over the weekend. Check out the pictures from Mgbako's visit, wearing the candy stripe pants, holding Indiana's Big Ten championship trophies and meeting with coach Mike Woodson. CLICK HERE
- JONATHAN POWELL PUTS IU IN TOP SIX: Jonathan Powell, a four-star shooting guard in the class of 2024, included Indiana in his top six college choices, along with Michigan State, Xavier, Ohio State, Clemson and Virginia Tech. Powell was teammates with Indiana commit Gabe Cupps at Centerville High School. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA PURSUING JORDAN DINGLE: Indiana basketball reached out to Penn guard transfer Jordan Dingle on Friday. Dingle averaged 23.4 points as a junior in 2022-23 en route to winning Ivy League Player of the Year. CLICK HERE
- ANTHONY WALKER COMMITS TO INDIANA: After four seasons at Miami, 6-foot-9 forward Anthony Walker announced Saturday that he's transferring to Indiana. Coach Mike Woodson has rebuilt Indiana's front court through the transfer portal with Walker, Kel'el Ware from Oregon and Payton Sparks from Ball State. CLICK HERE
