"I almost drown": Carmelo Anthony's son Kiyan Anthony recalls the time his dad threw him in a pool
Four-star prospect Kiyan Anthony recalled the time he almost drowned after his father, Syracuse legend and former NBA star Carmelo Anthony, threw him in a pool.
Kiyan Anthony shared this experience in the latest episode of The Evolution: Kiyan Anthony Season 2.0 which was shared on social media on Saturday.
The six-foot-five guard from Long Island Lutheran High School in New York was swimming with his friends in his home in Augusta, Georgia when he recalled the moment that he learned how to swim.
"My pops threw me in a pool when I was like five and I almost drown but from that point on I knew how to swim," Kiyan Anthony said.
(2:54 onwards)
The young basketball star is set to pick from USC, Auburn and Syracuse in November as his school for college. Anthony considers that swimming during breaks relaxes his nerves and refreshes his body just before an important game.
"It's always cool to have fun off the court between games when you, with your friends just to take a little pressure off from basketball (games)," he said.
(2:17-onwards)
In his last AAU Tournament, Kiyan Anthony and Team Melo play against Team Durant
In the next segment of the show, Kiyan Anthony took fans to an inside look at his last-ever AAU Tournament where Team Melo played against Washington DC-based Team Durant on July 19.
Before the game, Team Melo coach Sam Brand reminded the players of what was at stake for them. He told them that college coaches were watching the event and urged the players to give their 100%, as their scholarships were at stake.
Kiyan Anthony recounted that he was excited to play that time as team pride was at stake in this rivalry game. He came out with guns blazing from the get-go, helping Team Melo keep pace with Team Durant.
"I came out killing like I had to have a good game it was no way that I didn't play like super good that game," he said.
(6:50-onwards)
Team Melo went ahead early, 25-18, and hiked that lead to 11 at halftime. Team Durant staged a comeback in the second half and sent the game to overtime at 63 apiece.
Team Melo settled in the extension and won 73-66. Kiyan Anthony hailed his teammates for playing their best game in the tournament. He was happy to contribute to his team.
Carmelo Anthony, who was watching the game, was impressed with his son's physicality and leadership.
"The way he led today, it was big-time. He was a leader. He scored the ball, he was very aggressive amid the rivals' physicality. I saw they were being physical at him. They were testing him and he succeeded," the Syracuse basketball legend said of his son.
(11:03-onwards)
Team Melo played against Team Final the following day but lost by one point, 69-68, ending Kiyan Anthony's AAU campaign. After the game, he recalled his first game in the league until this season and stated that he had a great career and looks forward to his next journey.
Kiyan averaged 21.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in the tournament.