Meet NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony’s son, Kiyan Anthony: the 18-year-old basketball prodigy already has his own fashion line and is friends with the children of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
Although the son of an NBA great, Anthony, who will play for Syracuse, says he was never pressured into taking up basketball
Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony and actress La La Anthony, is following in his father’s footsteps. The 18-year-old basketball prodigy has committed to Syracuse University, his father’s alma mater, after rejecting offers from Auburn University and the University of Southern California, according to People.
The budding hooper – who plays for the Long Island Lutheran Crusaders and his father’s EYBL team, Team Melo, is ranked 32nd nationally, seventh among shooting guards and number one in New York in the Class of 2025 by 247 Sports – announced his decision in November 2024 on his now-retired dad’s podcast with his mum and co-host The Kid Mero. Both parents appeared elated at the choice, with La La clarifying that the final call was entirely up to the high schooler while “Mel just gave him input on all the schools”, People reports.
In a later interview with ESPN, the younger Anthony shared that his decision was influenced by how Syracuse made him “feel like it was family”; his 10-time NBA All-Star father led the school to their sole NCAA Championship back in his day. “My dad’s name on the facility is special, but I want to go in there and create my own name,” Anthony added. “I’m my own player and I want to do even bigger things,” he told Interview Magazine.
Following his selection, Kiyan Anthony was spotted at the Wake Forest vs. Syracuse game in December, where he received a standing ovation from fans according to Sports Illustrated. The Orange’s official Instagram account then shared a pic of him from the game with the caption, “Welcome home”. Meanwhile, his mum revealed to TMZ Sports that she was all set to be “Syracuse-geared out” for his future games.
What was his childhood like?
