Hollywood’s biggest night, the Oscars, is back in March, but for La La Anthony, the real drama is unfolding at home. The longtime actress and TV personality is bracing for a different kind of departure—her son, Kiyan Anthony, is heading to college. And not just any college. The 6-foot-5 guard is set to follow in his father Carmelo Anthony’s footsteps in the ACC, carrying the weight of a legendary legacy. But while Kiyan is gearing up for the next chapter, La La is coming to terms with an empty house.

“I’m super excited for his journey and this next part of his journey,” she admitted on Jazmyn Summers’ YouTube channel. “But as a mom, you never want your kid to leave the house. It just happens so quickly. I’m still young. I’m like, I’m going to be in this house by myself. I get sad about that, but I am super excited for him and his journey. And, you know, as a college student, as a college athlete, just as a young man, stepping into his own, like, there’s nothing that I’m more proud of.”

It’s a bittersweet moment for La La, who has been Kiyan’s most vocal supporter from the very start. From celebrating his MVP performances to posting about his Senior Night, she’s been by his side through every milestone. “Forever ur #1 fan… MOM,” she wrote on Instagram, joking about embarrassing Kiyan with balloons in the gym. But her role extends beyond just being a supportive mother. She’s also had to be his personal assistant, fielding attention from young fans. “Stop having girls give me your number at games,” she playfully scolded him in a viral clip. “Why are they giving me their number to give to you during your game?”

Beyond the social media moments, La La has felt the real worries of a basketball mom. When Kiyan suffered a hard fall mid-air during a game against St. Joseph’s Collegiate, she shared a clip of the scary moment on Snapchat, writing, “Kiyan had such a hard fall.” It’s the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with watching your child chase a dream—pride, anxiety, and unwavering support all wrapped into one.

Now, that dream is taking Kiyan to Syracuse.

Kiyan Anthony’s Syracuse gamble: A legacy in the making or a risky bet?

Ranked 32nd in ESPN’s top 100 for the class of 2025 with a scouting grade of 88, he’s lived up to expectations. He officially signed during the early period in November 2024, ensuring his spot at the ACC school. “Just looking at Syracuse and seeing, like, what could be done over there if I was to go over there,” Kiyan explained. “They already have top people coming in, who I’m close with. Young coaching staff that I can connect to. Close to home, a 45-minute flight. They would have me catching 6-hour flights to California. Just all of that, and then the ACC, they play Duke, Carolina. They play all the good schools. All of that plays a part as to why I chose Syracuse.”

For La La, it’s a moment of immense pride but also reflection. “And you remember when he was a little baby, and now look at him, ballin’,” she said. “You hear people always say it goes so fast, and you’re like, well, does it? And then you look up and you’re like, no, this went by fast.”

Yet, questions remain—did Kiyan make the right choice? Syracuse, once a powerhouse, has struggled in recent years. Ranked 142nd in the NCAA men’s basketball NET rankings this year and sitting at 12-17 in the ACC, the Orange are no longer the dominant force they were when Carmelo led them to a national title in 2003. They’re not even in the AP Top 25 for 2025. Kiyan could have chosen a stronger program, but he’s betting on himself to restore Syracuse’s reputation.

As La La watches from afar, she knows this journey is just beginning. The house may feel emptier, but the court is where Kiyan is set to make his mark. And just like his father, he’ll have to prove that he’s more than just a name.