La La Anthony gets emotional as son Kiyan's AAU stint potentially ends

Kiyan Anthony remains close to his mom, La La Anthony, despite his parents' divorce. As he appears to have played his final AAU game, his mother expressed her emotions on Instagram.

The sports page Overtime on Instagram posted a before-and-after video of Kiyan Anthony with the song "Baby I'm Back" by The Kid LAROI, showcasing the son of retired NBA star Carmelo Anthony's growth over the years.

La La Anthony responded to the post with a pleading face emoji, characterized by furrowed eyebrows and large “puppy dog” eyes.

La La Anthony reacts to rumors of her son's AAU stint coming to an end

Kiyan, currently attending Long Island Lutheran High School, is expected to be part of the 2025 recruiting class and is ranked No. 40 in ESPN's top 100 for that year.

The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has narrowed his college choices to six schools, including Syracuse, where his father played and won a national championship in 2003.

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Carmelo Anthony is against his son Kiyan taking a one-and-done college path

Carmelo Anthony has expressed his opposition to his son Kiyan taking a one-and-done college route to enter professional basketball.

In a February episode of the "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast, Carmelo shared his hopes that his son won't take shortcuts in his basketball journey or life in general.

Melo acknowledged his son's potential but stressed that they will reassess his NBA plans each year while he is in college to gauge his readiness.

“I see the potential,” Melo said. “But just know there's a large chance that you're going to come in [to the NBA] and you're not going to play because you're just not prepared to be a pro yet."

As Kiyan is set to graduate from high school in 2025, Melo said he doesn't want his son fixated on completing just one year of college.

“My son is going to college. I don't even preach one and done to him. We’re not even playing that game because I don't even want you to start thinking that right now.”

“You start shortcutting things and rushing things, we ain't rushing nothing. You go to college. If you have to stay for two, if you have to stay for three, we go to college. We adapt as we go. If you're ready to go after your first year, then we'll look at it,” he said.

Melo himself was a one-and-done player, playing one year at Syracuse before entering the 2003 NBA Draft. He shone during his lone college season, leading the Orange to a national championship and earning the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award.