They say greatness runs in the blood, and the Anthony family is living proof. Just over two decades ago, a young Carmelo Anthony lit up the college basketball scene, leading Syracuse to an NCAA championship in 2003 and earning the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.
Now his son Kiyan Anthony, who is committed to Syracuse is making waves on the court with his high school team, and the basketball world is taking notice. He recently got unique praise from his mother, La La Anthony.
La La Anthony Couldn’t Contain Her Happiness
The “Perfect Find” actress took to Instagram to celebrate his achievement, sending him a heartfelt five-word message: “MVP!!! Always making me so proud @kiyananthony🥇❤️”
The moment was nothing short of special. With La La in attendance alongside her friends, Kiyan put on a show during Long Island Lutheran’s (LuHi) clash against Allen (Texas) at the American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The 6-foot-5 guard showcased his elite scoring ability by scoring 25 points on 9-for-15 shooting, five rebounds, and three assists, leading Lutheran to an easy 71-68 victory over the nation’s No. 9 ranked team and hence winning the “The Throne” title.
His clutch performance not only sealed the championship but also earned him the prestigious MVP crown—one that his mother proudly wore in the celebration video she shared with her followers.
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With the championship win, Lutheran also secured a $10,000 prize from the National Basketball Players Association Foundation. Their path to victory was anything but easy, as they overcame No. 23 Highland Hawks in a nail-biting 56-55 battle after dominating No. 8 Brennan High School with a commanding 83-56 victory.
Besides this standout performance the 18-year-old has shown his exceptional talent on multiple occasions during basketball games. During the EYBL in 2023 Lutheran witnessed an outstanding showing when Kiyan scored 28 points in a game that established himself as a standout player. Apart from the Nike EYBL he earned recognition at other elite competitions such as Peach Jam, SLAM Summer Classic, and the Top 100 Camp during the previous year.
For La La Anthony, this was more than just another game—it was a proud mother’s moment. She has always been Kiyan’s biggest supporter, frequently sharing his achievements and training sessions with her thousands of followers. As Anthony prepares to take the next step in his basketball journey, one thing is clear: the Anthony legacy is far from over.
Carmelo Anthony Also Didn’t Shy Away From Supporting
Anthony and La La Anthony officially split in 2021 after years of an on-and-off relationship. Despite their separation, the two have maintained a strong co-parenting bond, always prioritizing their son, Kiyan. Their unwavering support for Kiyan has been evident on multiple occasions, and this time was no different.
Although Anthony was not present during the finals of his son’s high school basketball tournament, he made sure to show up when it mattered. The former NBA star was in attendance during the semi-finals when Kiyan’s team, Lutheran, secured a crucial victory over Highland Hawks.
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Lately, Carmelo has been especially protective of his son’s basketball career. During a recent episode of his “7 pm in Brooklyn” podcast, he expressed his disappointment over Kiyan being snubbed from the McDonald’s All-American game, believing that his son deserved the recognition.
“I think he deserved to make it, no bias. I think he really put the work in and really deserved to be a McDonald’s All-American,” said Anthony during his podcast.
However, with Kiyan set to join Syracuse this fall, he is only beginning to carve out his own legacy, following in his father’s footsteps.