Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse basketball legend Carmelo Anthony appeared on the NBC Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday night, stopping by for a quick conversation that touched on his son’s decision to attend Syracuse and his recent induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Anthony did not talk in depth about Syracuse’s up-and-down start to the season but said he continues to be happy with Kiyan Anthony’s decision to play for the Orange.
“I just came back, I was up in Syracuse yesterday,” Anthony said. “He made the right choice. ... He’s doing his thing man.”
Carmelo Anthony last appeared on television with Fallon in November of 2024. At that time [Kiyan Anthony was picking between Syracuse and Southern California](https://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2024/11/kiyan-anthony-made-his-own-syracuse-choice-im-sure-everyone-assumes-that-mel-put-the-pressure-on.html) for his college destination.
Kiyan Anthony has enjoyed a solid start to his Syracuse career. He currently ranks second on the Orange in scoring averaging 10.9 points per game although he has lacked efficiency, making 42.7 percent of his shots, including 25 percent of his 3-point tries.
Carmelo Anthony, of course, delivered one of the greatest freshman seasons in college basketball history during his year at Syracuse, leading the Orange to a national title in 2003.
Anthony was [inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September,](https://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2025/04/carmelo-anthony-will-go-into-hall-of-fame-twice-in-2025-im-satisfied.html) an honor for a career that included that title, three Olympic gold medals and a run that currently ranks him 11th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
“For me it was just looking over in the room, outside of my family being able to see the legends that I grew up watching, they’re over there and they’re clapping,” Anthony said. “They give you that look. There’s a different look that a basketball player gives you and that means, ‘you’re valid.’ So I got validated.”
Anthony also touched on an exhibit about him that is currently located in one of Baltimore’s public libraries and said he views the New York Knicks as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks are currently second in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons and recently won the NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament.
“I honestly believe that the Knicks have a legitimate shot at the NBA championship, at least getting there and then they’ll have to compete, I think with (Oklahoma City),” Anthony said. “What we’re seeing is they’re building, they’re growing, they’re getting more comfortable with each other. ...
“I know a lot of people talk about the in-season tournament cup and should they raise a banner. I think you have to appreciate this moment. Let’s appreciate all the wins that we come across because years from now, this in-season tournament will be major. It’ll be a major part of the NBA.”
NBC is broadcasting NBA games again this season for the first time since 2002. Anthony is working for the network as a studio host.