Kiyan Anthony Gets Real About His Relationship With VJ Edgecombe, Offering Rare Glimpse Into Brotherhood Off The Court At Duke

In the world of college basketball, talent often takes center stage—but every once in a while, the stories that unfold off the court hold just as much power as the highlight reels. That was certainly the case when Duke freshman Kiyan Anthony sat down with local media this week and spoke candidly about his relationship with teammate and fellow five-star recruit VJ Edgecombe. What fans got was more than just talk about drills, dunks, or defensive schemes—it was a revealing portrait of two young stars navigating expectations, forming trust, and forging an unbreakable bond inside the storied walls of Cameron Indoor Stadium.

A Friendship Born from Respect

Kiyan Anthony, the son of 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, entered Duke surrounded by intense media attention and sky-high expectations. Likewise, VJ Edgecombe, a Bahamas-born phenom and one of the top-ranked players in the 2024 class, arrived on campus ready to make waves. For many observers, their simultaneous rise on the recruiting trail suggested a brewing rivalry. But behind the scenes, the dynamic was vastly different.

“We’re like brothers,” Anthony said. “People from the outside maybe expected some ego or competition, but it’s been the exact opposite. VJ pushes me to be better. And I try to do the same for him.”

That mutual respect has been visible during team practices and in early summer exhibition games, where the two have played off each other seamlessly—Edgecombe slashing into the lane, Anthony spotting up from the perimeter, both feeding each other’s momentum. Coaches have praised their chemistry, not just for what it means on the court, but for what it says about Duke’s locker room culture.

Navigating Legacy and Pressure

For Anthony, whose basketball lineage carries undeniable weight, the relationship with Edgecombe offers something refreshing—relief from the constant comparisons to his father.

“With VJ, I’m just Kiyan,” he explained. “He never treats me like ‘Melo’s kid.’ He sees me as a teammate and a friend, and that means a lot. That’s how you grow.”

Anthony’s words suggest that this isn’t just about two guys learning a system—it’s about forming the kind of bond that can ground a player amid chaos. For Edgecombe, that stability goes both ways.

“Kiyan’s one of the realest dudes I’ve ever met,” Edgecombe said in a separate interview. “You’d think someone with his name and background might act different, but nah. He’s down to earth, and he’s always there when you need him.”

That authenticity has endeared both freshmen to veteran players and coaches alike. According to Duke assistant coach Amile Jefferson, their friendship has even influenced the way practices run.

“There’s an energy when those two are on the floor together,” Jefferson said. “They trust each other. They talk constantly. That kind of connection is rare for freshmen.”

From Instagram to Indoor

Their relationship didn’t begin in Durham, though. It started with a few social media exchanges during their junior year of high school. Mutual respect quickly turned into casual conversations, which led to joint training sessions during AAU summers. Those sessions would lay the groundwork for what was to come.

“We’d talk about dreams, talk about the league, talk about legacy,” said Anthony. “Now we’re here, side by side, making it real.”

When both players committed to Duke within a few months of each other, fans took notice. Suddenly, the Blue Devils had not only landed two of the most electric prospects in the country, but two friends with shared goals and complementary games.

The Duke Brotherhood, Reinforced

Duke basketball has long prided itself on its tight-knit, family-oriented culture. The Brotherhood isn’t just a slogan—it’s a living, breathing part of the program. For Anthony and Edgecombe, joining that legacy meant embracing something bigger than themselves.

“We knew we were walking into something special,” Edgecombe said. “Guys like Zion, Jayson, RJ—they’ve all worn this jersey. Now it’s our turn to carry that forward, and we want to do it together.”

Their commitment to that culture is evident in everything from weight room workouts to study hall. Head coach Jon Scheyer, entering his third season as the program’s leader, believes their synergy will be a key factor in Duke’s pursuit of another national title.

“What stands out about Kiyan and VJ is that they’re mature beyond their years,” Scheyer said. “They lift each other up. They hold each other accountable. That’s the kind of leadership you can’t teach.”

Looking Ahead

With the 2024–25 season looming, Anthony and Edgecombe are already turning heads in preseason scrimmages. Scouts and analysts alike have begun projecting both as potential one-and-done lottery picks, but neither player seems distracted by the buzz.

“We came here to win,” Anthony said. “That’s our focus. If we take care of business on the court, everything else will fall into place.”

That maturity is perhaps the most telling sign of their bond. In an era where NIL deals, Instagram followers, and NBA Draft projections dominate headlines, the friendship between Kiyan Anthony and VJ Edgecombe offers a refreshing reminder of what college basketball is all about—teamwork, growth, and shared purpose.

Beyond Basketball

Off the court, the two have also teamed up in community service efforts through the Duke athletics outreach program. Most recently, they visited a local Durham elementary school to read books, hand out basketballs, and talk to students about chasing dreams.

“To those kids, we weren’t ‘stars,’” Edgecombe said. “We were just two guys who love basketball and want to give back. That’s what it’s all about.”

As the fall semester approaches, the duo plans to launch a podcast focused on the behind-the-scenes life of student-athletes. Their goal? To show young athletes that there’s more to college basketball than ESPN highlights and March Madness buzzer-beaters.

“We’re going to talk about everything—classes, struggles, joy, homesickness, all of it,” said Anthony. “Because if our story can help the next generation, then we’ve already won.”

In a sport where individuality often overshadows camaraderie, Kiyan Anthony and VJ Edgecombe are charting a different course. Their connection isn’t built on hype—it’s built on history, heart, and hard work. And as the season unfolds, Duke fans will have more than just talent to cheer for. They’ll be watching the growth of a genuine brotherhood—one pass, one dunk, one shared victory at a time.

For now, the message is clear: Kiyan and VJ aren’t just teammates. They’re a team within the team—and they’re ready to take college basketball by storm.