"They're going to win": Carmelo Anthony's son Kiyan Anthony believes Knicks' 'Nova Boys' will secure the 2025 NBA title
Kiyan Anthony, the best high school player in New York, is rooting for the New York Knicks to go all the way in the 2024-25 season. Talking to Sloane on the "SloaneKnows: NEXT" podcast, Anthony revealed that being to the Knicks' game with his dad Carmelo Anthony and NY's last year run has turned him into a fan.
When Sloane inquired about his favorites to win the 2025 NBA championship, Kiyan Anthony backed up the Knicks, citing the chemistry among the 'Nova Boys.'
"I feel like they're gonna win," Anthony said. "Just because they got the chemistry. All four of them once in Nova (Villanova), All four of them was the guys, and now they in the NBA procuring, so," he added. (18:02)
Earlier this offseason, the Knicks bought in Mikal Bridges by sending Bojan Bogdanovic, a first-round pick swap and five first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets.
The move pairs Bridges with his former college teammates Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson. The four were the core part of the Villanova Wildcats crew that won NCAA titles in 2016 and 2018.
In the past, NBA teams have paired up college teammates on their rosters. Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox (Kentucky to Sacramento Kings), Cam Reddish and RJ Barrett (Duke to New York Knicks), Kyrie Irving and Seth Curry (Duke to Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets).
However, no team has gone to the lengths like Knicks, rendering the name ‘Nova Knicks’ by fans.
Kiyan Anthony becomes the second-highest NIL athlete in high school basketball
Kiyan Anthony, 17, has been one of the most noteworthy high school basketball players this summer. He became one of the leading scorers in Peach Jam’s PIT tournament and followed it up by performing in SLAM Classic, Bolden Mack and Rod Wave Elite.
With that, Anthony, who was ranked third by On3 in high school basketball, has seen a 17% rise in his estimation recently. Anthony surpassed AJ Dybantsa ($720K) for the second spot, thanks to his valuation of $726K.
However, due to the star power involved, the rankings could change in the coming months. Dybantsa is the top-ranked prospect in the 2025 talent class, sought by more than 30 Division I programs.