"I'm not just an NBA player's son": Kiyan Anthony once pledged to supersede dad Carmelo's legacy as "one of best players in country"

Kiyan Anthony, the son of former NBA star Carmelo Anthony, is one of the most promising high school basketball players. Kiyan earned praise for his performance at the 2024 Nike EYBL Peach Jam. For Team Melo, he averaged 21.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

The Denver, Colorado, native was featured in Overtime's "The Evolu7ion" episode in July 2023. In the video, Kiyan said he aims to surpass his father's achievements.

"I want to be the first pick in the NBA draft. I want to show the world I'm not just an NBA player's son. Now it's my turn," Kiyan said.

"I'm ready to really step into the shoes that I need to fill ... I'm trying to get in NBA. I'm trying to produce an NBA so to myself I want to prove that I'm one of the best players in the country for real."

Kiyan Anthony was ranked the No. 1 prospect in New York state by ESPN. He is also ranked 40th overall in the ESPN 100, the ninth-best player in his position, and the seventh-best prospect regionally.

Kiyan Anthony wants his game to incorporate a total package like his dad, Carmelo

Like father, like son, Kiyan Anthony is closely following in the footsteps of his legendary NBA player father, Carmelo Anthony. Speaking with Carmelo and Kid Mero on an episode of "7PM in Brooklyn," he revealed the one quality he hopes to inherit from his dad.

"I feel like just his versatility," Kiyan said. "A lot of stars just got like one-dimensional like just could shoot or is bouncy, could dunk on somebody but like he was shooting and then body bumping into the basket. I feel like that's just, a lot of people don't got that.

"And he got the respect from all the other superstars so. Once you get the respect from everybody else, you up there."[Time Stamp - 57:30]

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.

According to 247Sports, Kiyan received 21 offers from different schools but trimmed down to his final six on July 25: Auburn, Syracuse, Florida State, Ohio State, Rutgers and USC.