The James and Anthony families are in crucial phases together. While Bronny James prepares for his NBA debut alongside his father, his brother, Bryce, has to decide his college. At the same time, another NBA scion and top high school recruit, Kiyan Anthony, is close to picking his school. Kiyan has narrowed his choices to Syracuse, USC, and Auburn from six. USC, where Bronny graduated from, is one of the schools Bryce is reportedly considering. Many would be keen to see if Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James’ sons team up. But Kiyan’s mom pulled the brakes on that fantasy.

La La Anthony has been accompanying Kiyan and her ex, Carmelo, to their son’s college visits so far. They’ve made sure he doesn’t feel pressured to pick Syracuse, the school Melo led to an NCAA title. But there’s no other pressure either.

TMZ caught up with the BMF star out and about when they asked if Bronny was a factor in Kiyan’s college decision. La La was quick to say, “He’s [Kiyan] doing his own thing.” However, she’s happy for Bronny too. “But, Bronny is an inspiration. He’s in the NBA right now. He’s crushing it and making history playing with his dad.”

After playing at USC and a medical scare, Bronny was selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft. Recently it sunk in for real that we’re about to see the NBA’s first father-son duo in one team as LeBron and Bronny suit up for the Lakers. Melo, La La, and Kiyan have been ecstatic for Bron and Bronny through it.

“That’s family to us, so nothing but the best to Bronny, and Kiyan’s doing his thing, too. Makes me really happy,” La La said about the James fam. However, she wants Kiyan to be happy with whatever school he chooses, irrespective of Bronny and Bryce. Same as Melo.

Kiyan Anthony is doing his own thing

Bronny was selected 55th overall and had a debatable summer league while LeBron was winning gold at the Paris Olympics. Despite everything that’s been said about the ‘nepo baby’, family and friends rally behind him. Kiyan himself put Bronny as the blueprint. “It just shows that anybody could do it. I’m coming up next, and I could do it,” he said a month ago.

Around that time, Melo said that his friends, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade’s eldest sons did have an impact on Kiyan. However, they’re in different situations and Kiyan stands out from Bronny and Zaire. “Kiyan is the one that’s sitting back and being able to learn from those two right? It’s like, ‘okay I want to go this route, I want to go that, I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to do that.’ So we have an opportunity to really be strategic on how we move through this process.” 

The 17-year-old will graduate in 2025 and will probably commit to one of his top 3 schools in November. With Melo retired, he won’t be teaming up with his dad. But he meant his goal is to make it to the NBA like Bronny did. His college decision is his own.

Being the best player in New York, the Long Island Lutheran guard is garnering a lot of scrutiny. Kiyan says his parents aren’t pressuring him. But fans haven’t let up on the fantasy of seeing Bron and Melo’s son team up, possibly as Trojans.