Luke Whitehouse
@Lwhitehouse12
As the son of 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony and TV personality and former MTV veejay La La Anthony, Kiyan Anthony has been in the spotlight from a young age. From attending red carpet events, to sitting courtside at his father’s games, Kiyan is used to garnering media attention.
But the 6-foot-5 Anthony, a four-star shooting guard for Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, N.Y, has handled the scrutiny with remarkable maturity, embracing the expectations that come with his last name, while staying true to himself.
“I just try to tune out the outside noise,” Anthony said. “ I know who really wants the best for me – my parents, my family, coaches, my teammates. I know [the media] gonna hate regardless, I just try to focus on my work ethic and my craft and just try to get better [everyday].”
After spending his first two high school seasons at Christ The King, Anthony transferred to Long Island Lutheran for his junior year. A successful two years at CTK and success in the AAU circuit over the summer helped Anthony emerge as one of the best players in the state of New York. He is ranked No. 38 overall in the Class of 2025 by 247Sports. .
Anthony has accumulated 13 Division I offers, including from Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Indiana, Florida State, and his father’s alma mater, Syracuse. Carmelo Anthony led Syracuse to its first NCAA championship in 2003, before being selected No. 3 overall in the NBA draft.
Kiyan is also a rising star on social media. Although he already had a built-in following thanks to his famous family, the 16-year-old has amassed over 750,000 followers of his own on Instagram, and a lot has to do with another hobby of his: fashion.
Anrthony’s Instagram bio says “Artist,” and features a mix of basketball highlights and unique outfits, which provide a glimpse into his personality.
“I feel like I’ve always been fashionable,” Anthony said. “[I’m] just trying to express myself with all the clothing brands I like and putting outfits together. It’s a big part of your name and image, and I feel like that plays a part especially being in front of cameras.”
He already has a partnership with the leading premium underwear brand, PSD. “I was so excited when PSD approached me,” Anthony told Forbes. “It’s a brand that I have worn and really like so it was very cool for me. My focus while working with the PSD team was to design prints that are reflective of me and the art that I am into right now.”
Off the court, Kiyan has showcased his personality with the biggest brands, and on the basketball court, he is blazing his own path and showcasing his talents on the biggest stages.
“Melo and I don’t put any pressure on him,” his mother told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. “We will let him know that we support him.”
Kiyan Anthony has emerged as a top prospect who has the attention of college coaches. And he seems ready to step out of his father’s shadow and carve his own path. In early December, Kiyan shined while leading Long Island Lutheran to a 70-point win over Chaminade.
According to Cullen Honohan of AllHailBBall, Anthony is “worth every bit of hype. Against Chaminade, Kiyan absolutely took over the gym, in front of his mom and dad. Kiyan may have scoring in his blood, but what impressed me the most was how versatile his points come. Kiyan started off his scoring streak with a half-court buzzer beater that brought the entire gym to their feet at the end of the first half. … We knew that his shot from the perimeter was as smooth as they come, but what shocked me the most was watching Kiyan get to the rim. He had tough drive after tough drive, bodying defenders to the rack, and cashing in with some of the toughest finishes of the night.”
When Carmelo announced his retirement from the NBA in May, his son was by his side. “My legacy, my son, it’s in you,” Carmelo said as Kiyan looked on. “I will forever continue through you because the time has come for you to carry this torch. My legacy now and forever lives on through you and I will always be proud of all that you do.”