Kiyan Anthony’s latest headline isn’t on the court—it’s in the stands. The 18-year-old is stepping into some massive shoes, following his father Carmelo Anthony’s Syracuse legacy. But before he even sets foot on the court in orange, Kiyan has already made waves by lighting up the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic. And it wasn’t just a casual show-out—he left everyone talking.

Because when it was time to deliver, Kiyan didn’t blink. The 6’5” guard went off for 26 points, hitting 11 of his 15 shots, snatching five rebounds, and putting Team Air on his back for a 141-124 win. While the numbers were loud, the statement was louder. After getting snubbed by the McDonald’s All-American roster, he clearly had a chip on his shoulder. That night? He silenced the doubters and walked away with MVP honors. And now, six months before his Syracuse debut, he was back at it again, this time catching NBA scouts’ eyes at the Iverson Classic.

Naturally, the spotlight followed him there, too. Kiyan dropped 25 points and four rebounds, per Sports Center Next, bringing the crowd to their feet. But the moment wasn’t just his—it was his mom La La’s too. La La posted Iverson Classic highlights on her Instagram story, tagging her son with love. And more importantly, she showed gratitude to the man behind the opportunity: “Thank you @theofficialai3 for having him!! FAMILY!!!” she wrote, giving Allen Iverson his flowers.

Yet La La’s commitment wavered when she missed one of Kiyan’s biggest nights. In a recent episode of Richer Lives, La La expressed that she always tried to present for her son. “When I had my son, you know, I want to always be present for his moments,” she said. “I never want to be that mom that’s like, oh, my mom was working. So she didn’t come to this, this, this, this. And I have missed moments because of work that, you know, sometimes I look back and regret.”

And La La feels that most of the time, Kiyan doesn’t lack the support from his mom. “But for the most part, he can say that my mom’s always been there for all of my moments and my mom’s always been present.” La La also added that she even tries to make her schedule around Kiyan, so she can be there for him. “I schedule everything around my son.”

However, this might be a one of those days. Just weeks before, when Kiyan helped Long Island Lutheran take down Allen High School, La La was right there cheering from the frontlines. After he snatched MVP honors that game, she posted, “MVP!!! Always making me so proud @kiyananthony,” sealing it with gold and heart emojis.

But mom’s absence didn’t affect Kiyan’s game. In the Iverson Classic, the young baller didn’t stop at just another stellar performance—he bagged two awards. Let’s take a look at what those were.

Kiyan Anthony celebrates two titles with Allen Iverson

So first came Friday, and Kiyan Anthony wasted no time. At the Iverson Classic workouts, the Syracuse commit gave NBA scouts exactly what they came to see. Sharp moves, confident shots, and a noticeably stronger frame. Social media didn’t miss a beat either. Photos and clips from the practice spread fast, and one shot had fans talking about his bulked-up look. Kiyan didn’t need a full caption to make his point. Just one word: “reps.” Sometimes, that’s all it takes.

Then came Saturday, and the energy just kept building. Handpicked by Allen Iverson himself, Kiyan didn’t just show up for the big game, he owned the moment. With the buzz of his Syracuse future in the air, he walked away with the “People’s Choice” award. And yes, he received it right next to Iverson. That smile? Said everything. But it didn’t stop there.

Because shortly after, he did it again. This time, Kiyan shared the stage with Tennessee Titans QB Cameron Ward to accept the “Fuel The City Award.” As the Iverson Classic’s official post put it, “More than just a game. They move the culture.”

While Carmelo Anthony didn’t make it to the event, his son didn’t miss a beat. From owning the Iverson Classic stage to showing out at the Jordan Brand Classic, Kiyan Anthony’s message is loud and clear—he’s not next, he’s now.

Kiyan’s back‑to‑back MVP nights at Jordan Brand and Iverson Classics prove he belongs on basketball’s biggest stages. Yet La La’s fleeting absence underscores a universal truth: even supermoms must occasionally choose which battles to fight. For Kiyan, the message is clear. His game transcends any single spectator