Carving your own path out of a parent’s shadow is a challenge faced by many star kids, and Kiyan Anthony knows this better than most. As the son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony and television personality La La Anthony, Kiyan’s basketball journey has always been viewed through the lens of his father’s legacy. But with his recent commitment to Syracuse, Kiyan has made it clear—he’s writing his own story.

Kiyan made this clear after he recently made his choice to go to Syracruse to further his Collegiate career on his father’s 7PM in Brooklyn podcast with The Kid Mero. He later spoke on the same at the party in front of his friends and his father’s friends. The venue, not far from where his father records the podcast 7PM in Brooklyn, symbolized Kiyan’s desire to honor his roots while stepping into his own. “I’m my own player, and I want to do even bigger things,” he told Jayson Buford of Interview Magazine.

The declaration came as an explanation on his decision to choose Syracuse a university that has deep ties to the Anthony family— his father Hall of Famer Carmelo led the school to its only NCAA championship in 2003—but Kiyan insists his decision wasn’t purely about legacy.

“I feel like a part of it was obviously the connection that my dad went there,” Kiyan said. “But mostly just how they could see me fitting in there and recruiting me for myself and not just who he was. He did big things there, but I’m my own player, and I’m trying to do bigger things when it comes to basketball.”

On the court, Kiyan has shone brightly. While playing for his father’s AAU team, Team Melo, during the 2024 Nike EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League). With his 6-5 and 185-pound frame, Kiyan averaged 19.6 points and grabbed 4.6 rebounds per game. Some of his incredible performances included 29 points against Team Final (PA) and 28 points against Houston Hoops (TX).

In fact, in the NBPA Top 100 camp in Orlando Kiyan made his presence felt by scoring 42 points on 15-of-28 shooting, including 4-of-9 from deep, in one of the opening games. He went on to lead all campers in scoring, by averaging 28.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over eight games.

Given his stats and determination in blazing his own trail, it is no wonder Melo expects greater things from the 17-year-old.

Kiyan Anthony faces the expectations of his father

Thanks to his performances, Kiyan had mounting offers from some of the top programs. By earlier this year, he narrowed them down to 6, then to 3, and ultimately to 2 — USC and Syracuse. “It was hard narrowing down,” Kiyan admits. It was difficult for Melo too, who had to limit himself from talking about his alma mater so as to not influence his son’s decision. But he stuck through, alongside La La, letting Kiyan know they would support him with whatever his final decision would be.

You can say the New York Knicks star teared up a little upon hearing his son’s announcement. Having built a legacy there and now finding the possibility of its continuation, Melo was excited. And he had a challenge for the 17-year-old too. “As a father, this is a special moment. You’ve got a chance to put the school, the community, and New York back to where it’s supposed to be,” he expressed.

Even after Kiyan’s announcement on his podcast, Melo had said, “Only Kiyan can bring Syracuse back to where it’s supposed to be.” 

The program has struggled over the past few years, missing four of the last five NCAA Tournaments. But with Adrian Autry on board and Kiyan, with his stats to account for, maybe we have a chance to witness Syracuse back to glory. Although Melo’s shadow does loom large, over the young Kiyan, he doesn’t seem fazed at all.