Being the son of an NBA icon isn’t just a legacy; it’s a challenge. Kiyan Anthony, at just 17, knows this all too well. As the son of 3x Olympic gold medalist and 10x NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, he’s stepping into big shoes. But Kiyan isn’t just “Melo’s kid” anymore. Kiyan earned his own recognition by landing top rankings in the class of 2025, according to ESPN. With college around the corner, Carmelo recently opened up, saying Kiyan has something powerful in his hand.

Carmelo Anthony appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon where the host asked, “What’s it like to watch this happen, the next generation?” “It’s tough,” Melo admitted, adding that it’s like watching his own journey all over again, but this time as a father. “I’m seeing this all over again from my son…the way that people was probably looking at me when I was coming up in high school, I get a chance to look at my son in this situation the same way.”

However, Melo’s presence does more than just offer encouragement; it provides a roadmap. “There’s pressure and you know what’s ahead of them,” he admitted. But he also believes Kiyan has the upper hand with a father who’s been through it all.

“The blueprint is already laid. If you follow the blueprint, the blueprint will get you there,” Melo shared on the show, emphasizing that Kiyan’s success lies in sticking to this tested path. After all, what he does when he “gets there” is up to him. While Melo didn’t have that blueprint when he was in high school, he can provide the same for his son now, which can have a major impact.

And as for Kiyan’s next big step? Melo revealed it’s coming soon. On his podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, Kiyan plans to announce his college choice next week. He recently revealed that he has three programs on his shortlist: USC, Auburn, and Syracuse. Rumor has it, though, that Syracuse might hold a special place in Kiyan’s heart.

After all, it’s where his dad took home a national championship in 2003. In 2023, Kiyan even visited Syracuse, proudly donning the jersey alongside Carmelo. Could he follow in his father’s footsteps? Only time—and Kiyan’s big announcement—will tell. Though Kiyan has the privilege to learn from a legend like his dad, the training hasn’t been all smooth sailing.

Carmelo Anthony Trains Kiyan for Future

In the 2023 Overtime documentary Evolution, Kiyan shared how Melo started pushing him hard early on. “My dad is a trainer,” Kiyan explained, recalling intense sessions when he was just 12. “We used to… be in a lot of controversy because he was trying to put me in the post at the time.”

Of course, Carmelo Anthony doesn’t sugarcoat his feedback. He’s known for calling it like he sees it, even during Kiyan’s games. “Y’all not playing hard,” Melo told Kiyan and his team in a 2023 game, as shown in Evolution. “Y’all playing soft, y’all playing like suckers.” It’s his way of making sure Kiyan knows what real grit takes if he wants to stand out to college coaches.

Still, Kiyan appreciates having his dad’s expertise nearby. During another game that year, Kiyan explained, “Whenever my dad sees us lacking or doing something bad, he always comes to the timeout and gives his input.” And it’s not just Kiyan who listens—Melo’s courtside advice gets the whole team’s attention.

And of course, Melo keeps the bar high even in one-on-one practices. As Kiyan mentioned in a 2023 interview with Yahoo! Sports, his dad’s tough love is no joke. “He guards me real aggressive just so I can feel what the next-level strength is like,” Kiyan revealed. Whatever decision Kiyan makes, he knows what he has to do to be successful.