It’s hard to tell what’ll become of a star NBA player’s progeny should they try to follow their father’s footsteps. Former Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks cornerstone Carmelo Anthony knows this as well as anyone, as he has multiple friends whose sons are pursuing an NBA dream, with varying results.
LeBron James’s son, Bronny, is was drafted 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft. Though he has a great feel for the game and a high defensive ceiling, he’s raw. The Lakers seem to sincerely believe in his potential and are hoping to mold him, but his career could go in quite a few directions.
Dwyane Wade’s son, Zaire, was the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA G League Draft. After suffering a season-ending knee injury in his first season, he played for an NBA-sponsored league in Africa (the BAL) when he recovered. Now he’s heading back to the G League.
Then there are players like Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, Detroit Pistons three-point specialist Tim Hardaway Jr., and Sacramento Kings fulcrum Domantas Sabonis.
Former NBA Star Carmelo Anthony Names Kiyan’s Player Comp
Anthony’s son, Kiyan, is a consensus four-star recruit. Ranked as the best player in the state of New York by ESPN, 247Sports, and On3, there are many who believe he’ll head to Syracuse, taking another page out of his dad’s book. If he does, that may be where the comparisons stop, as Anthony “can’t say” his son really takes after him as a player.
“I’ll try to be very honest about his comp because I know his game,” Anthony tells Overtime. “His comp is Paul George, (Tyrese) Haliburton, Penny (Hardaway).”
Melo gives Kiyan Anthony’s NBA comp 👀 @carmeloanthony pic.twitter.com/jSoxi9XTqX
— Overtime (@overtime) October 26, 2024
“He’s Penny with a great jump shot,” the 10-time All-Star continues. “That would be my comp. Shaun Livingston with a jump shot… a crazy jumper. That’s the mold.”
To be clear, Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, and former top-five picks Penny Hardaway and Shaun Livingston each have unique styles.
George, who Anthony acknowledges is Kiyan’s favorite player, is a smooth and crafty wing at 6-foot-8. Haliburton is a long-limbed floor general with a knack for dialing it in from downtown. Hardaway was a flashy scorer and playmaker whose skillset as a 6-foot-7 point guard was ahead of its time. Livingston was a textbook throwback point guard but 6-foot-7.
What they all have in common is length. This is notable because Anthony believes Kiyan, currently listed at 6-foot-5, could grow to 6-foot-8. The quartet’s high basketball IQ is another shared feature, and Anthony touts his son’s understanding of the game as well.
“With Kiy’, I see the IQ is there.”
That being said, whether Kiyan flourishes in college and beyond will come down to more than his height and mental acuity. He’s not particularly impressive from a physical standpoint, lacking strength and explosiveness. Thankfully, he has a picturesque jumper.
With range out to the parking lot, Kiyan becoming a solid NBA player is a legitimate possibility, no matter who his best comp is.
