It’s no surprise that Kiyan Anthony and Bryce James are two of the most talked-about high school basketball prospects today. With their famous last names and equally impressive potential, these young players are constantly in the spotlight. Although their fathers—Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James—are longtime friends, it’s hard not to draw comparisons between their sons.

The two crossed paths in May during Nike’s EYBL, setting the stage for what many hope will be an NBA rivalry someday. While they don’t see each other as competitors just yet, basketball fans are certainly keeping an eye on both of their careers.

At just 17, both players are already making waves in the basketball world. Bryce James, the 6’4″ shooting guard from Notre Dame, and Kiyan Anthony, who’s slightly taller at 6’5″, are two names you’re going to hear a lot about in the coming years as both are showing promise and have top college programs eagerly waiting to make scholarship offers. With their potential, it’s clear they’re on a collision course to make waves in college basketball.

However, when you dive into their playing styles, there are some noticeable differences. Kiyan Anthony has a deadly pull-up jumper and is known for his accuracy from beyond the arc. He’s also a versatile player who can move fluidly around the court. On the other hand, Bryce mirrors his dad’s game, dominating in the paint with his smooth layups. While Kiyan might have a slight height advantage, Bryce’s inside game gives him a unique edge.

Both have already built solid reputations, especially after their performances in the EYBL, and it’s clear their futures are bright, whether they meet on the same team or as opponents.

Kiyan and Bryce in Nike’s EYBL

Looking at rankings, Kiyan holds the 30th spot in On3’s top 150 list for the Class of 2025. Bryce, however, has had a more controversial rise in the rankings. After initially sitting at 135, his position jumped into the top 100, and it sparked backlash on social media. Many fans accused the ranking system of favoring Bryce due to his famous father, especially given his subpar performance at the EYBL.

Even NBA insider Kevin Sweeney weighed in, tweeting, “Bryce James being a top-100 recruit is significantly worse than anything Bronny-related over the last two years.” When it comes to stats, Kiyan had a standout run during the EYBL, averaging 19.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game over 15 games. Meanwhile, Bryce struggled to find his rhythm, managing only 5.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in the five games he played.

In their May EYBL showdown, where Kiyan’s Team Melo clashed with Bryce’s Strive for Greatness. Kiyan dazzled with 18 points and four assists, while Bryce contributed 8 points and 2 rebounds. Kiyan had a massive growth spurt in his game this year, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bryce follow a similar path. With father’s guidance and support, Bryce still has plenty of time to reach his full potential and silence the critics.

Fathers shaping the future of both young prodigies

In his 2023 Overtime documentary Evolution, Kiyan opened up about how Melo trained him hard from a young age. “My dad is a trainer. We used to, you know, be in a lot of controversy because I was like 12 years old, and he was trying to put me in the post at the time,” Kiyan shared.

Meanwhile, Melo, known for his candidness, didn’t hold back when critiquing Kiyan’s game during a 2023 documentary. He called out Kiyan and his teammates with a no-nonsense remark: “Y’all not playing hard… Y’all playing soft, y’all playing like s**kers.” On the flip side, LeBron James also takes a hands-on approach with his sons.

Just a month ago, LeBron James shared an Instagram post featuring footage of him, Bronny, and Bryce getting some practice in at the Lakers’ facility. Just a month ago, LeBron shared an Instagram post showing videos of him playing with Bronny and Bryce at the Lakers facility. “Simply no better feeling than doing what I love to do with who I love!” LeBron captioned the post, adding, “Great work today, Young🤴🏾’s.” The clip showcased all three of James’ impressive skills, proving that family bonding and hard work go hand-in-hand.

Friendship and rivalry

When it comes to Kiyan Anthony and Bryce James, the media might want to stir up a rivalry, but the reality is far from that. Kiyan recently opened up about the media’s portrayal of his relationship with Bryce James: “There’s a lot of eyes on us. I can’t let Bryce outplay me,” Kiyan admitted in a YouTube video with Overtime. But he quickly clarified that the media often exaggerated the dynamic between their fathers. “They weren’t rivals. They were really best friends,” Kiyan pointed out, making sure that narrative doesn’t spill over to him and Bryce.

What many don’t realize is that despite living on opposite coasts, Kiyan and Bryce are pretty close. “We basically grew up together, even though he [Bryce] lived in LA. I really like his family; I see him like my cousin,” Kiyan shared in another Overtime clip. This connection adds a deeper layer to their on-court matchups, making them more than just opponents.

Moreover, Kiyan isn’t too bothered by the pressure fans or the media try to place on them. “Everybody just wants one of us to be like, ‘Oh, I’m way better than him,’” he said. But for these young stars, it’s all about competing rather than comparing. “We just go out there and compete,” he said, letting the outside opinions roll off.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.