Many basketball enthusiasts view Kiyan Anthony as a rising star, and his exceptional performances in the Nike EYBL have solidified his reputation.
At just 17 years old, Kiyan has shown immense potential, which some attribute to the genes of his father, 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Regardless of the reason, his on-court exploits have sparked considerable drama and varied opinions among fans and analysts.
Recently, Carmelo Anthony shared insights into his son’s development, emphasizing the importance of observing Kiyan in different competitive environments to understand how he would react under pressure. “I got to see him in those environments to understand how he’s going to react in certain environments,” Carmelo remarked. That opportunity came sooner than expected in a recent game.
During a matchup against Team KD, Kiyan found himself in a heated exchange with an opponent, resulting in intense trash talk.
Before the situation could escalate, Carmelo, who was watching courtside, intervened by physically separating the two players. This protective move was met with mixed reactions; some praised Carmelo for his instincts, while others criticized him for interfering in his son’s moment.
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Kiyan has been a standout player in the Nike EYBL, recently leading his team to victory against Team KD with an impressive 27-point performance. ESPN ranks him as the No. 41 prospect in the 2025 class, highlighting his growing potential.
Despite these accolades, Carmelo believes Kiyan still has much to learn. “He’s going to have to deal with it totally different than me,” Carmelo said, pointing out the unique challenges Kiyan will face.
Carmelo elaborated on the difficulties Kiyan must navigate, especially when it comes to responding to trash talk and personal jabs about his family. “How you going to react to that in the middle of you got to go get a bucket, or you got to get a stop?” he questioned, underscoring the mental toughness required to stay focused amidst distractions.
As Kiyan continues to adapt to these challenges, his father’s support remains steadfast. However, Carmelo’s recent intervention during the game has sparked a debate among fans.
The incident divided fans, with some applauding Carmelo’s actions. “I love it. Great seeing Melo with his son while in the heat of battle. Let’s go,” one fan said, expressing strong support for Carmelo’s involvement. They noted that Melo, given his own experiences, understood the potential consequences of a heated confrontation on the court.
Reflecting on Carmelo’s own career, fans recalled a significant incident in 2006. While playing for the Nuggets, Carmelo was involved in a brawl that led to a 15-game suspension. The fight erupted after the New York Knicks’ Mardy Collins aggressively fouled Denver’s J.R. Smith, leading to a melee where multiple players, including Anthony, threw punches. This historical context added weight to Carmelo’s protective instincts during his son’s game.
Conversely, some fans criticized Carmelo for jumping onto the court, arguing that it was the referee’s job to manage the situation. “Let the ref do his job Melo,” one netizen insisted, suggesting that Carmelo’s interference overstepped boundaries. Another fan mocked the intervention, saying, “Melo let him talk sh**, then said chill,” highlighting perceived inconsistency in Carmelo’s approach.
Despite the controversy, Kiyan’s performance in the game spoke volumes. One user on social media noted that Kiyan responded to his opponent with his skills, saying, “Then Kiyan proceeds to fry the kid.” In this intense matchup, Kiyan faced off against the top-ranked freshman, nicknamed Baby KD, scoring 27 points and leading his team to a 73-66 victory.
Some fans took the incident humorously. One commented, “Gone be me at my son’s games too,” accompanied by a laughing emoji. Another chimed in, “I love it (laughing emoji) Melo as a basketball dad is perfect,” appreciating the lighter side of Carmelo’s involvement.
Regardless of the varied reactions from fans, it’s clear that Carmelo is deeply committed to supporting his son.
