Kiyan Anthony is making waves in the basketball world, blending flashes of his father Carmelo Anthony’s iconic game with a style that’s entirely his own. The son of the NBA Hall of Famer is drawing increasing attention from coaches and fans as he shapes into what many see as the sport’s next elite scoring talent.
With his Syracuse commitment looming and his high school career recently concluded, Kiyan’s journey from legacy player to individual star is becoming increasingly compelling.
How Is Kiyan Anthony Developing His Own Basketball Identity?
NBA trainer Chris Brickley recently praised Kiyan on Instagram, highlighting the remarkable similarities between father and son while acknowledging the younger Anthony’s unique development. Brickley posted, “The first 3 moves from @kiyananthony are straight out of @carmeloanthony. It’s crazy to see! But at the same time, he’s creating his own game. He’s on his way to becoming a serious scoring threat!” This video was shot at the Summit NYC Arena.
Anthony’s practice session demonstrated his versatility as a scorer, showing comfort with both 2-pointers and 3-pointers. The workout footage reveals a player who has clearly studied his father’s footwork while developing the range and athleticism needed for today’s game.
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What Did Kiyan Anthony’s Championship Performance Reveal?
Anthony recently delivered a standout performance at the Throne National Championship tournament, where he showcased the clutch gene that made his father famous. He connected on 9-of-15 shots for 25 points and grabbed five rebounds, leading Long Island Lutheran to a narrow 71-68 victory over Allen.
The performance earned Anthony tournament MVP honors and marked the culmination of his high school career. Throughout his prep years, he demonstrated the same knack for game-winning shots that defined Carmelo’s legendary Syracuse career.
What stood out wasn’t just the scoring numbers, but Anthony’s ability to perform under pressure in a championship setting. The efficiency and composure he displayed suggest a player ready to handle the expectations that come with his family name.
How Does Carmelo Anthony’s Training Philosophy Shape His Son?
“Overtime Mikey” recently observed a workout session between Carmelo and Kiyan, offering insight into the Hall of Famer’s approach to developing his son’s game. The session revealed a focus on fundamentals rather than flashy moves.
“Most workouts you see nowadays involve step back jumpers or working on cool one-on-one moves, but Carmelo stuck to the fundamentals,” Mikey explained. “Carmelo ran Kiyan and his friends through drills that simulated real game situations.”
The training emphasized practical skills over highlight-reel material. “Here they played out of a pick and roll, making the tough pass across your body,” Mikey noted. “They did get into some one-on-one drills to have some fun, but they were coming off curls like real game situations.”
This approach reflects Carmelo’s understanding of what translates to game success versus what simply looks good in practice footage. By grounding his son in fundamentals while allowing room for creativity, he’s setting Kiyan up for sustainable success at Syracuse and beyond.
The father-son dynamic became even more entertaining when discussing a hypothetical one-on-one matchup. When asked about facing his son in a game to 11 points, Carmelo said, “If we were to get shoes right now, step on the court, and you say we’re going to 11? I would win.”
When Kiyan asked, “How?” his father replied, “Because I’m gonna make the game super easy. You’re just too small. Two dribbles under the basket, fadeaway, then you’ll jump. I’ll build off one play with you.” Anthony smiled confidently and responded, “All I need is one stop. Ready to?”
This playful exchange reveals the respect between father and son while highlighting the passing of basketball wisdom from Hall of Famer to rising star. As Anthony prepares to wear #9 for the Syracuse Orange, he’s combining his father’s proven techniques with his own developing skills and modern basketball sensibilities.
