La La Anthony has chosen to keep her last name, not for the sake of her ex-husband, NBA star Carmelo Anthony, but for their son, Kiyan. During a recent panel at Fanatics Fest in New York City, the television personality opened up about her decision to retain the famous surname, revealing that it’s closely tied to her son’s budding basketball career.
Kiyan, who is currently the top-ranked high school basketball player in New York, is on a fast track to the NBA. La La expressed her excitement about her son’s future and the possibility of seeing his name on an NBA jersey.
When moderator Taylor Rooks mentioned the thrill of buying Kiyan’s NBA jersey one day, La La responded with a smile, “That’s why I haven’t changed my last name yet. I’m gonna keep it around for a little while!”
La La and Carmelo Anthony tied the knot in 2010 after seven years of dating. Although they separated in 2017 and briefly reconciled the following year, La La ultimately filed for divorce in June 2021. Despite the end of their marriage, the two have maintained a positive relationship, co-parenting Kiyan and even attending events together, like the sports festival where La La shared her thoughts.
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While La La continues to support Carmelo, her primary focus is on Kiyan’s future. She made it clear that her loyalty lies with her son, even if it means cheering for a team other than the New York Knicks, where Carmelo made a name for himself. When asked how difficult it would be to root against the Knicks if Kiyan is drafted by another team, La La didn’t hesitate. “Not that hard!” she said with a laugh. “I’m sorry, I’m going where my kid goes! Wherever my kid is at, that’s who I’m rooting for.”
La La described her journey with Kiyan as a “brand new” experience, one that feels entirely different from her time in the spotlight with Carmelo. As a mother, she’s fully immersed in her son’s basketball career and the path he’s carving out for himself. Despite growing up in the public eye, Kiyan is notably humble and prefers to avoid the spotlight, something La La deeply respects and admires. She shared that while Kiyan is accustomed to attention due to his father’s fame, he shies away from the cameras and focuses on his game.
For La La, keeping the Anthony name is a way to stay connected to her son’s journey and the legacy he’s building. As she watches Kiyan rise through the ranks, her pride and support are evident, reinforcing her decision to hold onto the surname that has become synonymous with basketball greatness.
