Carmelo Anthony Opens Up About Being a Basketball Dad to Son Kiyan at Syracuse

Carmelo Anthony, the 10-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer, is trading the spotlight for the sidelines. These days, his biggest role is being a basketball dad.

His son, Kiyan Anthony, now plays for the Syracuse Orange: Carmelo's own alma mater. The elder Anthony opened up about the experience during a recent appearance on *Late Night With Seth Meyers*.

"It's amazing when you're able to see your kids do what they love to do," Anthony said. "And I can just be a dad, you know?"

He described the moment he learned Kiyan was accepted at Syracuse as a "beautiful day." He exhaled. He didn't have to worry anymore.

"The story continues. The legend continues," Anthony said. "For me to have my son wanting to go to the same university that I attended, it just keeps that family tight."

Anthony is careful not to push. He wants Kiyan to have his own experiences.

"The classes he's taking are a lot different than I'm thinking," Anthony noted. "They taking classes online now and on the phone. A lot of times you don't even have to go to class."

He admitted this generation is better at navigating that balance. His job is to let Kiyan be a 19-year-old guy.

The interview also covered Anthony's new documentary, *Born Melo*, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12. It opens with the phone call telling him he made the Basketball Hall of Fame.

"It's a call that allows you to really breathe," Anthony said. "I didn't know so soon. But to get that call, man, it's nothing like it."

He also talked about his former team, the New York Knicks, winning the 2024 NBA Championship. Anthony played for the Knicks from 2011 to 2017.

"I know what it's like to put that jersey on," he said. "To see this team take it over the top and bring it home after a special run in this postseason: it was amazing to see."

Anthony played 19 seasons in the NBA with six different teams. He won three Olympic gold medals and an NCAA title at Syracuse in 2003. He entered the Hall of Fame in 2025.

Now his son is writing his own chapter at the same school. The connection keeps the Anthony family story alive.

"I'm actually a fan of him, and I'm a fan of Syracuse University," Anthony said. "And I'm also an alumni of Syracuse."