Kiyan Exploits Carmelo Anthony and LeBron’s Tight Bond to Gain Valuable Memorabilia

Over the last two decades, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James have shared one of the closest bonds in NBA history. As Melo once put it, “We came in together. Some way, somehow we will always be connected.” Their friendship runs deep, spilling over into family vacations, and their kids sharing a cousin-like bond. Naturally, this comes with perks, and Kiyan, Melo’s son, knows exactly how to take advantage of it—like any kid would with a cool “uncle” like LeBron.

Overtime podcast’s official X account posted a video where Kiyan gifted a signed LeBron jersey to his hoops star friend Tylil, a die-hard LeBron fan. “Tylo definitely one of my mans. I gave Tylo a LeBron jersey because people who watch Tylo, they know that LeBron is like his die-hard favorite player,” Kiyan explained.

LeBron and Carmelo’s sons, Bronny and Kiyan, have carried on their bond, often considering each other cousins. They’ve even gone head-to-head on the court. And when the former was drafted by the LA Lakers this July, the 17-year-old five-star recruit couldn’t hold is excitement. “That’s really fire… Especially him playing with his pops. That’s crazy,” he had remarked.

Meanwhile, Bryce James, LeBron’s younger son, has also had his share of matchups against Kiyan, including a memorable one during Nike’s EYBL tournament in front of their superstar dads. But yes, it isn’t just limited to Bron-Melo and Bronny-Kiyan-Bryce.

In a 2022 interview with Overtime, Kiyan shared how he casually asked LeBron for a pair of shoes. “Yeah, he just sent me a few. I hit him, I’m like I need some shoes,” Kiyan recalled, revealing that the Lakers star often plays the role of “Uncle LeBron” to his friend’s son. The relationship sure runs deep.

LeBron opens up on Melo-Bron bond

Growing up in single-parent households in inner cities, both carried the pressure of being “the one” to uplift their communities. Back in 2019, LeBron told The Athletic that this similarity in their backgrounds made their bond almost inevitable. “When you have a connection with somebody, you can’t explain it. We have no idea,” James said.

If we could trace their admiration as far back as possible, we’d likely reach the 2001 Junior Olympics. LeBron, then a high school sensation, couldn’t believe what he saw when he first met Melo. “I remember coming home and telling my high school teammates how I just seen probably the best high school player up to date that I have seen in my life,” LeBron said. Melo was already a star at Oak Hill Academy, and their competitive nature would only do them a favor.

Fast forward to 2020, and LeBron’s support for Carmelo was on full display. Melo had faced heavy criticism and was even out of the league until the Portland Trail Blazers gave him a shot. LeBron was quick to express his pride: “I don’t know if he needed to hear it or not, but I’m f–king proud of him. Like, really like a blood brother.”

Interestingly, LeBron even once saved Carmelo Anthony’s life, when he was drowning while vacationing with LeBron and Dwyane Wade. With that level of brotherhood, it’s no surprise Kiyan wouldn’t hesitate to call in a favor or two from his dad’s long-time friend. Who wouldn’t?