Kiyan Anthony made a statement at the Throne National Championship, scoring 25 points and being named MVP in a game that showed his burgeoning potential. His name may not always be on everyone’s lips, but this was confirmation that he is capable of creating his own identity. Most importantly, he took a step in his legendary father Carmelo’s giant footsteps with his occasional flashes of brilliance on the court.
As a son of one of the all-time greats in the game, Kiyan has had to deal with both the monumental weight of expectations and the weight of his father’s shadow. Carmelo has never been his harshest critic but his greatest supporter, constantly guiding Kiyan through the pitfalls of being in the spotlight and urging him to establish his own identity as a player.
Par for the course, Carmelo Anthony recently celebrated his son’s moment of glory with a simple but powerful message. He shared a story on Instagram and captioned it, “Keep going, champ [salute emoji] @kiyananthony.” It wasn’t just fatherly pride, it was more – a reminder that Kiyan’s journey isn’t about competing for headlines; it’s about grinding, growing, and carving his own path.
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 12: Kiyan Anthony greets his dad Carmelo Anthony after the Sierra Canyon vs Christ The King boys basketball game at Sierra Canyon High School on December 12, 2022 in Chatsworth, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
Let’s keep it real now, social media has a memory comparable to a goldfish. One minute, Kiyan Anthony was the name on everybody’s lips, the next-gen hooper carrying his dad Carmelo’s legacy with smooth buckets and killer handles. Now? The buzz has shifted to Alijah Arenas, Gilbert’s son, who’s been lighting up the scene with his brand of flashy play. And suddenly, Kiyan’s name isn’t ringing as loud. But hold up, is that any substance to it?
Kiyan Anthony vs. Alijah Arenas
Let’s break it down now. Kiyan Anthony and Alijah Arenas are both sons of NBA legends, but their journeys couldn’t be more different. Kiyan, the 6’5″ guard with Carmelo’s scoring DNA, is methodical, polished, and built for the long game. Alijah, Gilbert Arenas’ explosive son, is a walking highlight reel with the kind of flash that grabs headlines overnight. But who’s really further along? And why are fans so quick to compare them?
Kiyan’s game is smooth, calculated, like his dad in his prime. He doesn’t force shots; he picks his spots, uses his size, and lets the game come to him. It’s not always viral, but it’s effective. Meanwhile, Alijah is pure entertainment, deep threes, ankle-breakers, and a fearless swagger that screams “Agent Zero Jr.” His game is built for the social media era, where one crazy crossover can make you a star overnight. Kiyan Anthony averaged 10.3 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game. But Alijah? He’s been tormenting defenses with 30+ points per game every season.
There is also this factor: Kiyan isn’t just fighting opponents, he’s fighting expectations. Carmelo Anthony is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, a global icon. Every move Kiyan makes is compared to his father’s prime. While Alijah? Gilbert Arenas was a legend in his own right, but the pressure isn’t quite the same yet, who still has a year of high school ball left. Agent Zero was a cult hero, not a perennial All-NBA guy. That gives Alijah more room to play freely without the same level of scrutiny.
Bottom line? Both are special, but in different ways. The real question isn’t “Who’s better?”, it’s “Who’s built to last?” Only time will tell.
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