Carmelo Anthony returned to a familiar shade of orange on Monday night (November 24), only this time, he wasn’t the one taking the floor. The NBA legend slipped into the crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, where Syracuse Orange faced one of its stiffest early-season challenges in the Players Era Festival matchup.
Sitting nearby was his ex-wife, La La Anthony, as the two watched their son step onto a stage Carmelo once dominated.
Kiyan Anthony Shines in His Father Carmelo Anthony’s Presence
Syracuse’s unbeaten run came to an end in a 78–74 overtime loss to the No. 3 Houston Cougars, but the story of the night had as much to do with the courtside energy as the scoreboard.
Carmelo and La La, seated a few feet from the action, kept the attention squarely on their 18-year-old son as he logged another steady performance in one of his biggest collegiate tests yet.
The Orange forced overtime with an 11–0 burst to close regulation, igniting a loud surge inside the arena.
Kiyan Anthony, who has emerged as a dependable scorer early in the season, finished with 10 points, one rebound, and one assist in 24 minutes, and he delivered one play that had the entire building on its feet.
Midway through the first half, with Syracuse leading 18–12, Kiyan jumped a passing lane for a clean steal and raced the length of the court for a smooth dunk.
The moment sent the crowd roaring and brought both his parents out of their seats as they erupted in celebration.
Carmelo and La La Anthony were married for 11 years and together for nearly 17, with their split finalized in 2021.
Despite the public end of their marriage, both have been vocal about keeping their family bond strong, especially when it comes to supporting Kiyan’s basketball journey.
That journey has gathered momentum quickly. Kiyan committed to Syracuse on November 15, 2024, choosing the same program where his father became a campus legend and delivered the university’s only national championship in 2003.
The early results have been encouraging. Through his first four regular-season games, the freshman is averaging 14.8 points, three rebounds, and 1.8 assists on an impressive 54.8% shooting.
Kiyan Continuing Caremlo’s Legacy
Monday wasn’t just a big night for Syracuse. Earlier in the day, Nike announced that Kiyan had signed an NIL deal with the Jordan Brand, joining one of the most prestigious athlete rosters in college sports.
La La marked the moment with excitement on Instagram, writing, “Incredible!!!! Proud of you @kiyananthony!”
The deal also carries symbolic weight: Carmelo was one of the faces of the Jordan Brand during his NBA prime, making Kiyan’s addition to the roster feel like the continuation of a family tradition.
