An NBA scion quietly bursting with potential is serving Melo and beyond. Kiyan Anthony is one year away from college and probably four years (or less) from the NBA. He’s not even picked his school yet. But Carmelo Anthony’s son is already dominating the youth scene. From 40-point games to casually doing three-point challenges, Kiyan has the knack to one day do his dad’s ‘three to the head’ celebration. He might even embarrass a few seasoned pros like Shaquille O’Neal.

Between college tours and high school, the Long Island Lutheran student owned the 2024 Peach Jam in Augusta, South Carolina. At this game, Kiyan went from Melo’s son to a much-anticipated NBA prospect. The fame was instantaneous.

He didn’t have to go out with his dad to be recognized anymore. He was shopping in Augusta and was overwhelmed when locals noticed him. Kiyan hung out at the Culture Kings store and did their 10-shot challenge.

Overtime documented Kiyan’s outing from behind the scenes of Peach Jam when he took this challenge. As the name indicates, you could win free sneakers on the house if you made 10 consecutive free throws. This is the guy who just scored 40 points at an EYBL 17U game. This is a cakewalk for the 17-year-old.

After the first five shots, he had a handful of spectators. By the next half, he realized he’s got a whole gallery. The pressure of being watched made Kiyan think, “I got to make this shot, no way.” And he did, won his free sneakers, and got the wind knocked out of him realizing how many people were watching and recording him.

Someone who would thrive under that pressure was Shaquille O’Neal during the 19 seasons he spent in the NBA. But he couldn’t do what Kiyan just did – make a free throw count.

Melo’s son could embarrass Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal remains one of the most agile big men in NBA history when he was in the low post. But it’s a known fact he struggled from the line. He made 11252 attempts throughout his career, of which he made 5,317 and has a 52% free throw career percentage. And he only made one 3-pointer in 19 years. His free-throw shooting was so infamous that his opponents devised an entire strategy, ‘Hack-a-Shaq’ to get him to the free-throw line and see him crash and burn.

In comparison, Carmelo Anthony ranks 17th in the all-time free throw list with an 81% rate and is one of the top 10 scorers in the league. But note, with 28,596 career points, Shaq is 9th in the all-time points leaders. Melo’s 28,289 career points keep him at #10 with a narrow margin.

If Melo had more minutes in his last few seasons, he’d have easily overtaken Shaq. But if Shaq had even made half of his missed free throws, he would have been higher on the list himself. On an average day, Melo was a better point-getter than Shaq. Now it’s his son who’s showing those chops. However, as Kiyan garners more popularity and scrutiny, Melo is hands-off with the pressure.