Watch: Carmelo Anthony’s son Kiyan Anthony reveals exact moment when he knew his game was different

Kiyan Anthony, one of the top prospects in the 2025 class, had a standout performance for his AAU team, Team Melo, and at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam tournament. Carmelo Anthony welcomed his son Kiyan and Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George on Tuesday's episode of the '7PM in Brooklyn' podcast.

On the show, Carmelo asked Kiyan about the moment he realized that he had something special when it came to basketball.

"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 recently returned from his offseason vacation to Japan with his mom, La La Anthony. The mother-son duo visited several Tokyo landmarks and experienced the local culture, with La La sharing glimpses on her Instagram.

Kiyan narrowed down his list of potential schools to six on July 25: Auburn, Syracuse, USC, Florida State, Ohio State, and Rutgers. Speaking with On3, he shared his thoughts on his recruitment:

"It's no pressure going there. I know wherever I go, I'm just gonna go there and play my game. But my dad always tells me, 'Don't feel like you got to go to Syracuse because I went there. Really look into these colleges and choose where you want to go'. So, that's what I'm really looking forward to doing."

Carmelo thanks Paul George for inspiring Kiyan Anthony

Kiyan Anthony, a Long Island Lutheran guard, said that nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George has been his source of inspiration. Carmelo, who was George's former teammate, appreciated this mentor-mentee relationship between his son and the Philadelphia 76ers star.

" I want to give you your flowers though, right? And also say thank you for inspiring him [Kiyan]," Carmelo told Paul on the podcast. "You see what I'm saying? Like that's big. So I want to say thank you champ for inspiring my son to be happy. Say PG in the house all day, all night. Thank you for that."

Paul George also discussed the flak they received when Kiyan called him 'GOAT.'

"I'm not close to the GOAT. But from an inspiring and impact standpoint, it's humbling bro," George said. "Obviously for them to attack him [Kiyan Anthony] for like why is he a GOAT? How you attack a kid? That's who enjoy watching."

Along with his multiple All-Star nods, George has also earned a spot on the All-NBA Team six times and has been selected to the NBA All-Defensive Team four times.