When 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement from basketball Monday, he made a point to mention his 16-year-old son, Kiyan, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard and sophomore in high school.
“My legacy, my son, it’s in you,” Carmelo said in his retirement announcement video. “I will forever continue through you because the time has come for you to carry this torch. So (Kiyan), chase your dreams. Let nothing hold you back. Let nothing intervene. My legacy, now and forever, lives on through you. And I will always be proud of all that you do. Peace.”
Thank you #STAYME7O pic.twitter.com/4au8cOd13s
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) May 22, 2023
But what type of player is Kiyan Anthony and could he follow in his father’s footsteps? Here’s everything you need to know.
Scouting report
Since the spring, Anthony has blossomed and continued to shine not only as a scorer with deep range but also as a playmaker in a stacked 2025 class. So far for Team Melo — a youth basketball program focused on college recruitment — Anthony is averaging 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He has struggled with efficiency — making 37.6 percent of his field goals and 26.4 percent from 3.
What’s been the most impressive is his ability to create for others as he leads Team Melo in assists with 30 against only 10 turnovers. Not to mention he leads his team in steals with 12. — Bass
Which schools are recruiting Kiyan Anthony?
Anthony has received offers from 11 Division I programs, with five of those coming within the last month, according to 247Sports. Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee and Seton Hall are the latest programs to offer Anthony, per the site. He’s also received offers from Providence, UMass, Manhattan, Memphis, Bryant, George Mason and, notably, Syracuse.
Carmelo Anthony led Syracuse to its first and only NCAA Tournament title during the 2002-03 season, his lone college season before he was selected by the Nuggets third overall in the 2003 NBA Draft. He averaged 22.2 points and 10 rebounds per game for the Orange. Syracuse finished ninth in the ACC last season (17-15 overall).
Kiyan Anthony received an offer from Syracuse in November. He wouldn’t play for his father’s coach, though — Jim Boeheim retired in March.
Where is Kiyan Anthony ranked in the Class of 2025?
Anthony, who attends Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, N.Y., is considered a four-star prospect and ranks No. 62 in the Class of 2025, per the 247Sports Composite. Among the 2025 class, he ranks No. 14 in his position and is the No. 2 recruit in New York, behind Archbishop Stepinac shooting guard Danny Carbuccia, per the composite rankings.
What about other sons of NBA players?
Bronny James, son of Lakers star LeBron James, might be the most recognizable name among the high school sons of current and former NBA players. Bronny, a four-star combo guard in the 2023 class, committed to USC earlier this month.
Kiyan Anthony and Bronny James played against each other in a high school game in December. Bronny’s Sierra Canyon defeated Kiyan’s Christ the King 62-51.
Other sons of current and former players that have become top prospects include:
- Andrej Stojaković (Class of 2023, Stanford signee), son of three-time All-Star Peja Stojaković;
- Reed Sheppard (Class of 2023, Kentucky signee), son of former Kentucky standout and Hawks player Jeff Sheppard;
- D.J. Wagner (Class of 2023, Kentucky signee), son of former NBA player Dajuan Wagner;
- Dylan Harper (Class of 2024), son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper;
- Sir Mohammed (Class of 2024), son of former Kentucky star and NBA player Nazr Mohammed;
- Cameron and Cayden Boozer (Class of 2025), the twin sons of Carlos Boozer, a former Duke forward and two-time NBA All-Star. Cameron Boozer is the No. 1 player in the 2025 recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite.
Notable NBA sons currently active in the league include Warriors guards Stephen Curry (as well as Nets guard Seth Curry) and Klay Thompson, Magic guard Cole Anthony, Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr., Warriors guard Gary Payton II and Kings forward/center Domantas Sabonis.
Shareef O’Neal, the son of Shaquille, averaged 4.5 points per game in 11 appearances for the G League Ignite this season. Zaire Wade, son of Dwyane, is averaging 9.3 points per game through four games for the Cape Town Tigers of the Basketball Africa League.
Required reading
- Carmelo Anthony retires after 19 NBA seasons: The legacy he leaves, on and off the court
- Why the Knicks should retire Carmelo Anthony’s No. 7 to the Garden rafters
- NBA 75: At No. 63, Carmelo Anthony is a marquee scorer but also a polarizing figure
(Top photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)