What if your hustle on the field could pay your tuition, build your brand, and launch your future—all before graduation? That’s the power of NIL, and for college athletes, it’s no longer a dream; it’s the new game. And now, the Philadelphia 76ers legend, Allen Iverson, is back with yet another Iverson Classic event this year. For the 2025 edition of the Classic, he returned to Bethel High School, along with some of the rising stars of the basketball world, such as Kiyan Anthony, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Nate Ament, Caleb Wilson, and the rest. The competition is fierce, and the young players are making their mark. After achieving a major feat at the event, the Arkansas Razorbacks star has landed one of his biggest deals. This is something that has eluded Carmelo Anthony’s son, Kiyan, for quite some time.

It was recently announced that the McDonald’s All-American, Darius Acuff Jr., won the 1v1 trophy at Iverson’s tournament. He even had the chance to speak with the Philadelphia 76ers legend himself, who shared a few words of praise and advice. As per On3’s Industry Rankings, the 6’2″ star is ranked No. 9 in the Class of 2025.

Following this, several clips of him in action and his exchange with Iverson have been circulating on social media. One such clip shows Iverson dapping him up and giving him a hug. Soon after winning the event, it was announced that the former IMG Academy player signed a major NIL deal with sportswear giant Reebok. As a part of this multi-year deal with the brand, he is already featured as the face of their newest basketball shoe. Iverson himself is part of the Reebok family as the Vice President of basketball.

The official page of the brand made a special post on X. “We would like to welcome Darius Acuff Jr. to the Reebok Basketball family. Already one of the most electrifying athletes in the country, the 6’2” point guard and Detroit native is redefining the next generation of basketball,” the post is captioned. 

“I’m excited to be joining the Reebok Basketball family. Debuting at the iconic Iverson Classic is a dream come true,” the FIBA U18 Gold Medalist said. 

In his final year at IMG Academy, the FIBA U18 MVP led the team to a 20–8 record and a No. 9 finish in the Nike Elite Basketball League’s Florida Section. He has already committed to the Razorbacks and will play under head coach John Calipari. Darius’ NIL valuation now stands at $1.1 million, which is close to Kiyan’s NIL deal. While the Syracuse standout has yet to land a shoe deal, he has been phenomenal at recent games.

Kiyan Anthony’s impact in Jordan Classic Event and Allen Iverson won hearts

The 18-year-old signed a NIL deal early in his career with PSD Underwear back in 2023. As he will be joining Syracuse soon, it’s likely for him to land a new deal. Till now, the star player has been doing much to elevate his game. He put up a remarkable display at the Iverson Classic workouts with NBA scouts in attendance.

He carried the same power and energy into the game, winning the “People’s Choice” award at the event. While Melo wasn’t present at the matchup, other celebrities and fans were in attendance to witness the action. Kiyan lit up the court during the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic.  The event was held in Washington, D.C. The 18-year-old scored 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting. Fans appreciated his power-packed performance as he led Team Air to a 141–124 victory over Team Flight. 

Nearly two decades ago, in 2002, Carmelo Anthony lit up the Jordan Classic with a dazzling 27-point performance—a glimpse of the star he was about to become. That night marked the rise of a future NCAA champion and NBA legend. Now, the torch is being passed. His son, Kiyan Anthony, is stepping onto the same stage, not just with a legacy behind him, but with the weight of expectation and ambition pushing him forward. The stakes? Higher than ever. Not only is he making a name for himself, but he’s also preparing to follow in his father’s footsteps at Syracuse, the very school where Melo became a household name.