He stands 6'5" now. A towering presence compared to the little kid we used to see on red carpets clinging to his mom’s hip. Honestly, if you haven’t checked in on Kiyan Anthony lately, you’re looking at a completely different person.
The world knows him as La La Anthony’s son, or the "heir" to Carmelo Anthony’s basketball throne. But as of 2026, Kiyan is carving out a narrative that has very little to do with his parents' IMDb pages and everything to do with his own jumper. He’s currently a freshman at Syracuse University, the same place where his dad became a legend, and the pressure is, frankly, immense.
But here’s the thing: Kiyan doesn't seem to care about the noise. While the media tries to force a "Melo 2.0" story, the kid is just trying to find his own rhythm in the Carrier Dome.
The Syracuse Legacy: It's Not What You Think
People assumed Kiyan chose Syracuse because of the statue of his dad or the championship banner from 2003. It makes sense on paper. You’ve got the history, the brand, and the built-in fan base.
However, the real story is much more practical.
Kiyan actually almost went to USC. He admitted in interviews that the West Coast vibe was tempting. But Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry didn't just recruit him as a "legacy" hire. They showed up at his house. They went to his practices at Long Island Lutheran. They treated him like a four-star shooting guard who needed to earn his minutes, not a celebrity who deserved them.
- Debut Stats: He put up 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in his first game against Binghamton.
- The Starting Role: He earned his first start against Delaware State, dropping 19 points.
- The Style: Unlike his dad's mid-range bully ball, Kiyan is a "smooth" guard. He’s a shot-maker who hunts for perimeter looks.
His shooting percentage has been a bit of a rollercoaster—sitting around 43% from the field—but that’s expected for a freshman. He’s learning that college defenders are a lot faster than the kids he faced in the EYBL circuit.
Parenting in the Spotlight: How La La and Melo Managed the Hype
La La Anthony is basically the blueprint for a "modern sports mom." She isn't just sitting in the stands; she’s managing the brand. She’s been very open about the anxiety of sending him off to college. In a recent chat with Angie Martinez, she talked about the "emotional ups and downs" of that move. It’s a lot.
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The way they’ve handled the co-parenting is actually kind of impressive for Hollywood. You’ll see Melo and La La together at almost every big game. No drama. Just two parents trying to make sure their kid doesn't get swallowed whole by the "nepo baby" labels.
Melo’s advice to him? "Block it all out."
He told Kiyan that the eyes on him are an opportunity, not a weight. It’s easy to say, but harder to do when you’re wearing the #7 jersey and the entire city of Syracuse expects you to save the program.
The NIL Factor and the Million-Follower Problem
Kiyan is a millionaire. Let’s just be real about it.
Before he even stepped foot on campus, he had signed major NIL deals, including a fashion partnership with PSD and deals with Jordan Brand. By the time he hit his freshman year, his Instagram following surpassed one million.
La La has mentioned that it’s actually getting hard for him to walk around New York or Syracuse. He can’t really take the subway anymore. People want photos. They want a piece of the "next big thing."
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Kiyan is just a "finesse" player who got lucky with his genes. If you watch his film from his senior year at LuHi, you see the work. He grew several inches in a short span, going from a skinny playmaker to a legitimate 6'5" wing.
He’s also surprisingly humble. Despite the designer clothes and the famous parents, his teammates at Syracuse describe him as a "gym rat." He’s not the guy acting like he’s too big for the room. He’s the guy trying to figure out how to navigate the Big East Conference without getting pushed around by 22-year-old seniors.
What’s Next for the Anthony Legacy?
Kiyan is draft-eligible in 2029. That feels like a lifetime away, but in the world of basketball scouting, the clock is already ticking.
He needs to get stronger. 185 pounds is a bit light for a 6'5" guard in the ACC/Big East era. He also needs to tighten up his shot selection. Sometimes he settles for tough, contested jumpers because he can make them, not because he should take them.
But the foundation is there. He has the "it" factor that his mom used to dominate TV and the "scoring DNA" of his father.
If you want to keep up with his progress, watch the Syracuse home games. The energy in the building when "La La Anthony's son" hits a three is unlike anything else in college sports right now. It’s a mix of nostalgia for the father and genuine excitement for the son.
Practical Next Steps for Fans:
- Follow the Box Scores: Don't just watch the highlights on TikTok. Look at his efficiency. If his 3-point percentage climbs above 35%, he's a serious NBA prospect.
- Watch the Defensive End: That’s where he’ll win or lose his spot in the rotation. If he can guard the opposing team's best wing, he stays on the floor.
- Ignore the "Legacy" Talk: Judge him as Kiyan, the shooting guard, not Kiyan, the son.