By SAM LANCE
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Top-50 class of 2025 prospects Tyler Jackson and Kiyan Anthony have been tearing up the EYBL this summer playing together for the Team Melo program. The duo has combined for an average of 36.6 points per game so far playing in the PIT during Peach Jam, helping Team Melo to a 4-1 record.
That duo — as electric as it has been on the court — also shares a special bond off the court.
“That’s my bro,” Jackson said of Anthony. “We’ve been going at it since we were little. I actually grew up playing in his father’s center off Lafayette Street, down in the Melo Center. We have the Melo Center in Baltimore. So I actually grew up, and me and Kiyan have just been knowing each other since we were little. We’ve been playing against each other. So now that we get to play with each other, it’s a blessing. It’s cool. It’s great.”
With the strong bond they’ve created, Jackson said he and Anthony are looking to potentially play together at the next level in college.
“We’ve been talking about that heavily actually,” Jackson said. “Kiyan about to drop his list. I’m actually going to drop my list after all of this is over.”
Specifically, the duo has talked about bringing glory back to Syracuse. Kiyan’s father, Carmelo Anthony, won a national title with the Orange in 2003. That is Syracuse’s only national title besides two from before 1930.
“I love Syracuse, you know coming from Melo,” Jackson said. “Melo, that’s been Melo program back winning the national championship. Me and Kiyan are really trying to bring another national championship. We’re gonna — whatever school he goes too, whatever school I choose — if we were to choose to go to Syracuse together — we’re going to bring a national championship you feel me.”
Jackson took an official visit with the Orange this past January.
“Coach [Adrian] Autry told me he was going to trust me with the ball, he was going to let me do my thing,” Jackson said. “But also he’s going to let me learn responsibility, accountability. You have to be accountable for what you do on the court. And them trusting me. So that’s what we talked about.”
As far as other schools involved, Jackson said he is hearing from Maryland, TCU, Illinois, Arizona State, and LSU as well. In addition to Syracuse, Jackson has already seen Maryland and Auburn. He’ll be taking some more visits upcoming in August and September, but no dates exactly set in stone.
“I’ll see TCU,” Jackson said. “I really want to go to TCU. Ole Miss. LSU. Yeah, I would say those schools.”
Look out for a top schools list from the talented guard.
“My list is coming very soon,” Jackson said. “Very soon.”
Most recently at Peach Jam, Jackson was able to perform in front of an NBA star.
Ja Morant and Carmelo just watched Kiyan Anthony go off again in the Peach Invitational:
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) July 17, 2024
26 PTS
3 REB
6 AST@kiyananthony @NikeEYB @TeamMe7oEYBL pic.twitter.com/FqTfoZHNYp
“It’s a blessing you know, all of these NBA legends, all of these superstars coming in here to watch us play,” Jackson said. “Just give us a chance to go out there and play them. Make our idols become our rivals one day.”
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