"I feel like I'm one of best shooters in EYBL": When Kiyan Anthony recalled strongpoint of his game while playing under NBA dad Carmelo
Carmelo Anthony’s son, Kiyan Anthony, burst onto the scene a year ago at Nike Nationals, playing for his dad's team, Team Melo. In this year's Nike EYBL Peach Jam, he was easily one of the best players.
Kiyan, the No.1 prospect in New York for the class of 2025, was featured in a series of episodes in Overtime's "The Evolu7ion" last year, which highlighted his composure on the high school basketball court. In Episode 5 of the series, released in Aug. 2023, he detailed how he views himself as a player and what he believes are his strongest attributes:
"My jump shot is really strong point of my game. I feel like I'm one of the best shooters in EYBL. ... I feel like I grew with the close moments. I developed and I felt confident enough to take the last shot even if it doesn't go in. I feel like I'm the best person to take the last shot, all we gotta do now is close out the game." (Time Stamp - 3:48)
In this year's Peach Jam, the 17-year-old further grew into the game. his performance received high praise, and ESPN ranked him as the top player in New York.
"The hard work and dedication this kid puts in is like nothing I've ever seen before BUT what's most important is he's humble & kind & grateful. Love you to the moon and back," Kiyan Anthony's mother La La praised him in an Instagram story.
Kiyan Anthony talks about the moment he realized his potential
Stemmed from the NBA blood of 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony and fueled by his raw talent, Kiyan Anthony has a bright future in the NBA. The Denver native appeared on the "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast on July 30, where he recalled the moment in his career when he realized his game was different
"Sophomore year, like summer, going into my junior year," Kiyan said. "Sophomore year, I transferred mid-year so I couldn't finish my season. So once I got to the AAU circuit, that was the first time everybody got to see me and I feel like that was like, yeah, I'm here. That was the moment."
Kiyan Anthony will play his last year of high school basketball at Long Island Lutheran this season. He moved there from Christ the King High School in Queens in 2023.