All About Carmelo Anthony and La La Anthony's Son Kiyan

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Juan Ocampo/NBAE

Carmelo Anthonymay be one of the NBA’s all-time scorers, but he isn’t the only Anthony who is making an impact on the hardwood. His teenage son, Kiyan, is gearing up to follow in his famous father’s footsteps on the court.

In November 2024, Kiyan, whom Carmelo welcomed with his ex-wifeLa La Anthonyin 2007,committed to playing basketball at Syracuse University— his dad’s alma mater.

“Syracuse is a big one for me because of my Dad,” Kiyan told247 Sportsback in 2022. (Carmelo played one season at Syracuse before entering the 2003 NBA draft.) “He set the foundation over there so I won’t go wrong if I went there.”

And while Kiyan’s basketball career is just getting started, Carmelo’s came to an end in May 2023 when heannounced his retirementafter 19 seasons in the NBA. In a video posted onInstagram, he said he was proud to pass “the torch” to his son.

“My story has always been more than basketball. My legacy, my son, it’s in you,” Carmelo added. “I will forever continue through you because the time has come for you to carry this torch. Chase your dreams, let nothing hold you back. … My legacy now and forever, lives on through you. I will always be proud of all that you do.”

So who is Carmelo Anthony’s son? Here’s what to know about the rising basketball star, Kiyan Anthony.

He was born in Denver but lives in New York

Carmelo Anthony Instagram

When Kiyan was born on March 7, 2007, Carmelo was playing for the Denver Nuggets at the time.

In 2011, Carmelo was traded to the New York Knicks and the family relocated to New York City. And though Carmelo went on to play for several other teams including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers, the family continued to maintain roots in New York City.

“Things got tough with New York, just constantly being under the spotlight and people watching every little thing,” she said.

“We had some great times. We have a beautiful son, Kiyan, who’s amazing,” she continued. “It wasn’t all bad. We had great, great times. It ended bad, but we’re still friends and we co-parent great. … Life is just about lessons and going through different phases, and that was a phase in my life, a chapter in my life. And now, that chapter’s over but it’s never really over when you have a kid with somebody.”

He’s a high school student

Cassy Athena/Getty

In February 2021, Carmelo announced that Kiyan would attend Christ the King High School in Queens, N.Y.

“Never thought this day would come so soon! Next chapter. Proud of you,” he wrote onTwitter.

Christ the King is known for fielding basketball greatsSue BirdandLamar Odom. While on Christ the King’s basketball team, he played against another basketball legend’s kid:LeBron James’sonBronny.

“He’s just starting high school in the fall so we started helping him with picking his high school, which is really good because it prepares him to understand the process when itcomes to picking a college for himself,” La La told thePEOPLE Every Daypodcast in May 2021.

In February 2023, Kiyan announced he wastransferring to Long Island Lutheran High Schoolin Brookville, N.Y. He will graduate in May 2025.

He plans to attend Syracuse University

Kiyan’s desire to pursue a basketball career is no secret. But even though his ambitions might eventually take him to the NBA, Carmelo’s only son will attend college first.

In November 2024, Kiyan announced his plans to attend his dad’s alma mater,Syracuse University, after fielding offers from several schools, including Auburn University and the University of Southern California.

“I think it’s an incredible decision,” La La said on Carmelo’s podcast,7PM in Brooklyn. “They’re an incredible school and they really worked hard in recruiting and just making him feel like a priority."

Kiyan emphasized toESPNin September 2024 that his dad has never pressured him to attend Syracuse. Hespoke with the outlet againin November after making his final decision.

“From day one, when they started recruiting me, they made me feel like it was family,” Kiyan said. “My dad’s name on the facility is special, but I want to go in there and create my own name.”

He received a basketball scholarship from Syracuse at 15 years old

La La Anthony Instagram

In 2022, Kiyan received a very special offer from Syracuse University, where his dad won a historic NCAA championship in his freshman year in 2003.

Theschool offered Kiyan a basketball scholarshipat the beginning of his sophomore year of high school at just 15 years old.

The young basketball player announced his offer on Twitter, writing, “Beyond blessed to receive an offer from Syracuse University! #GOORANGE.”

La La also sang Kiyan’s praises on her Instagram, calling herself the “proudest mom on the planet.”

“Your hard work and dedication is paying off. You are my son, my best friend, & my hero @kiyananthony…to get a scholarship offer at 15 yrs old from the school your dad won a championship with is mind blowing…” she wrote in the caption. “Keep GOD first and everything else will follow… thank you @syracuseu 🏀I LOVE YOU & I WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR #1 FAN!!”

He has a great fashion sense

Kiyan Anthony Instagram

Beyond basketball, Kiyan has expressed an interest in fashion, showing off his outfits on his Instagram.

“Swag, swag, swag, that’s my disease,” he wrote alongside afew photos of a black-and-yellow outfit.

His mom has even taken him to New York Fashion Week where they sat front row for the LaQuan Smith Fall/Winter 2022 show in February 2022.

La La also admitted it’s not just his clothes Kiyan pays attention to, but his overall vibe, includingchoosing a signature scent.

“I have a 15-year-old son so hygiene – deodorant, skincare, taking care of yourself – is a big priority in my household,” she told PEOPLE in 2022. “And I’ve always been a fan of Old Spice so when I got the opportunity to be a part of the campaign, I definitely wanted to jump on board. And [Kiyan’s] found something that he really likes to use and loves how it makes him feel.”

He has a close relationship with his parents

As the only child of Carmelo and La La, Kiyan has always been close to his parents.

On Valentine’s Day 2024, he took the opportunity to let his mom know exactly what she meant to him when hethanked her for being his valentinefor his entire life.

“Mom, you have been my valentine for 16 years now…Thank you for everything you do words can’t express how thankful I am to have to you in my life,” he wrote in a note to her that La La shared onInstagram.

“He is his dad’s #1 fan& super excited for this new opportunity … but when it’s all said and done, he’s still a 12yr old that is going to miss his dad 😢🙏🏽🏀,“The Chiactresswrote at the time.

In one of his first games for the Trail Blazers, Carmeloreceived a special FaceTime callfrom his son on the sidelines. La La held up her phone for Carmelo to see from the benches and Carmelo saluted Kiyan.

“My son always wants to feel like he’s here,” La La told ESPN at the time. “He misses his dad a lot. I was filming up the block, so I came here and just wanted my son to feel like he was a part of the moment. I FaceTimed him so he could see his dad, and he just was excited because his dad had such a great game tonight.”

He has some famous fans

As the son of two famous figures, Kiyan has also racked up a famous fanbase. One of his most notable supporters isKim Kardashian’seldest child,North West.

North sat on her mom’s lap for most of the game and jumped off excitedly when she saw Kiyan score.Khloé Kardashianand the late Kobe Bryant’s daughterNatalia Bryantwere also present at the game cheering Kiyan on.

La La posted photos of the special night to her Instagram Story, including one of North holding hand-drawn “Go Kiyan” signs. “North was Kiyan’s biggest cheerleader!!!” she wrote.

Kiyan is alsoclose to Bryant’s children, having grown up with them. In 2020, La La toldEntertainment Tonightthat she sees herself as an aunt to his children Natalia,Bianka BellaandCapri Kobe. (Bryan’ts fourth daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash alongside her dad in January 2020. ) La La also said Kiyan’s relationship with the girls is “one of the most important parts” of the two families' bond.

“To have our kids be able to grow up together, they look at themselves as cousins and they do a lot together,” La La explained, adding “all the kids look up to Kiyan.”

He is protective of his mom

Michael Loccisano/Getty

In a January 2023 interview onThe Jennifer Hudson Show, thePoweralum revealed thatKiyan is very protective of her— especially when it comes to dating.

She explained how he “doesn’t like” her dating, and when she asked him if he would prefer she be “alone forever,” he said, “Yeah, kind of.”

When hostJennifer Hudsonjoked that she couldn’t even “get on the phone” around her teenage son, La La commiserated, adding that she is in the same situation.

“I feel like it’s my dad in the house or something,” La La said with a laugh. “I’m sneaking [around], texting … this is crazy! Or he’s like, ‘Mom let me see your phone real quick,’ like for what? What do you need my phone for?”

source: people.com