The 2025 Iverson Classic All-American selections have officially dropped. One name that’s turning heads is Kiyan Anthony, son of 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Allen Iverson himself shared the faces of this year’s picks on his Instagram story, giving fans a first look at the future of the game. And when Carmelo saw his son’s name on that list, he couldn’t help but react.

The buzz around the next generation of basketball stars is on a whole other level. So far, 26 top talents have secured their spots in what many call the most competitive high school game of the year. The list is packed with rising stars like Nate Ament, Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson, and Chris Cenac. But the name standing out the most is Carmelo’s son Kiyan Anthony. Allen Iverson aka Bubba Chuck shared the full lineup on Instagram, calling them “The Future!” And he’s not wrong. These young athletes could be the next big names in the NBA. But what really got fans talking was Carmelo’s reaction. Seeing his son featured on the poster, the former All-Star had a response that only fueled curiosity.

Carmelo kept it simple, letting his reaction speak for itself. Dropping a simple “👀” emoji, Carmelo made it clear that he’s locked in. He is ready to see his son shine on his biggest stage yet. And fans definitely noticed. One even hyped up the moment, commenting, “@carmeloanthony your boy is going to put on a show 🔥🔥🔥.” Honestly? We hope so too. With the spotlight on Kiyan, all eyes will be on how he delivers in the Iverson Classic.

In the Instagram post, it is very clear that Allen found the raw material, waiting to be molded into something great. For Kiyan, It’s a chance to prove himself in front of his dad’s mentor. Oh, and did you know that Carmelo Anthony considers Allen Iverson his mentor?

Carmelo Anthony takes Allen Iverson as his mentor

Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson aren’t just two basketball legends. Their bond was built during their time together on the Denver Nuggets from 2006 to 2008. Iverson dropped 25.6 points and 7.1 assists per game, while Melo added 24.8 points and 6.3 rebounds. Their chemistry was unmatched. They turned Denver’s offense into one of the most explosive in the league.

But for Melo, A.I. was more than a superstar, he was the mentor. Someone who understood the pressure, the expectations, and the grind very well. On his 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast, Melo once said on A.I, “He was the only one I could look up to because I felt like he was the only one who understood my dynamics and what I was dealing with and what I was going through and still have to be someone of elite on a daily basis.” And now, it’s Kiyan’s turn. A chance to show he’s got that same fire, that same drive.

When A.I. and Melo ran the show, the Nuggets averaged 101.5 points per game, the second-best in the league during the 2007-08 season. Kiyan has a long road ahead, but with his dad’s unwavering support and Iverson’s mentorship, he’s poised to carry forward a legacy built on greatness.