It’s not every day that a kid steps away from his legendary father’s basketball roots to make a name of his own—on his own terms. Yet that’s exactly what Kiyan Anthony is doing. Instead of suiting up for Team USA like many expected, Carmelo Anthony’s son is representing Puerto Rico in this year’s Nike Hoop Summit. The twist? Both his parents—Melo and actress La La Anthony—have Puerto Rican heritage.

Naturally, La La didn’t let the moment slide by without a shoutout. Shortly after the announcement, she lit up her Instagram Stories with pride, writing, “Always so proud of him.” And honestly, who wouldn’t be? Her son’s decision wasn’t just about basketball—it was a nod to his roots. Still, that post was just the beginning of the celebration.

Soon after, with the Nike Hoop Summit just hours away, Carmelo Anthony’s ex-wife doubled down on the support. Once again, La La took to her Instagram Stories, this time with a more fired-up tone, posting “Let’s goo @kiyananthony” alongside the Puerto Rican flag. You could almost hear the cheer through the screen.

Moreover, this isn’t new territory for La La. She’s been courtside from day one—whether it’s a streetball game in the summer or the high-stakes Chipotle Nationals. Her commitment to being there for Kiyan’s games is evident in her willingness to travel long distances, as shown by her drive from New York to Maryland, demonstrating her deep involvement in his basketball pursuits. In fact, she once drove all the way from New York to Maryland just to catch her son on the hardwood.

Now, with Carmelo Anthony’s son set to share the court with elite names like AJ Dybantsa and the Boozer twins at the Moda Center in Portland, all eyes are on him. Meanwhile, the girls’ game featuring Aaliyah Chavez and Sienna Betts promises equal excitement. But for now, the spotlight’s firmly on Kiyan—and La La couldn’t be prouder.

Carmelo Anthony’s son Kiyan is ready for the big challenge

So far, Kiyan Anthony’s been living up to the hype—and then some. The Syracuse commit is ready to turn heads at the Nike Hoop Summit. Just weeks earlier at the NBPA camp in Orlando, he torched the floor for 34 points, holding his own against the best high school talent in the country. But that wasn’t his only highlight reel.

What’s more impressive? This isn’t some overnight breakout. Kiyan’s been doing this for a minute. At last year’s NBPA Top 100, he dropped 35 points on elite-level players and followed that up with a ridiculous 42-point performance later in the same event. That explosion even got his dad, Carmelo Anthony, to take notice. And with a camp-high average of 28.5 points per game, it’s safe to say the kid’s not just making noise—he’s setting the bar.

Now, with just hours left before tip-off at the Nike Hoop Summit, fans are wondering who’ll be suiting up beside Kiyan on Team World. The squad includes a mix of international talent—Tajh Ariza, Eric Reibe, Tounde Yessoufou, and five-star prospect Shon Abaev among them.

Plus, Team World’s bringing serious global flavor. Serbia’s Bogoljub Markovic, Italy’s Dame Sarr, Nigeria’s Ikenna Alozie, and China’s Boyuan Zhang are all stepping in. But make no mistake—this might be Team World, but Kiyan’s the one everyone’s watching.