To conclude April’s live evaluation periods, a sizable contingent of college coaches and national media descended onto the campus of Legacy Sports USA located in Mesa, Arizona for Nike’s EYBL Session II.
Pro Insight was on-hand to cover the event and caught up with Kiyan Anthony of Team Melo (MD) and Long Island Lutheran (NY). The son of 10-time NBA All-Star and 2003 NCAA champion Carmelo Anthony, the 2025 guard averaged 17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steal while shooting 37% from deep over four games in the E16 division. One of the biggest stock-risers from the weekend, Anthony showcased his mature pace, feel for the game, an arsenal of advanced off-the-dribble scoring moves, and deep range from three. As he continues to make a name for himself on the court, the rising junior should have no shortage of suitors at the next level.
As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Anthony discussed the best pieces of advice he has received from his parents, the story behind his new ink, the transition to play for LuHi in the NIBC, his recruitment update, and much more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2025 prospect Kiyan Anthony, from Brooklyn, New York:
Pro Insight: How did you get to where you are today? Talk a bit about your background and family.
Kiyan Anthony: My name is Kiyan Anthony. I'm in the class of 2025. I came here to EYBL and I played 15s, last year. You know, we did really well. We came just short of making it to Peach Jam and so this year I feel like we got a chip on our shoulder. So we’re trying to make it to Peach Jam and make it far.
PI: Describe your experience with Team Melo, so far. What is the team culture like?
KA: Team Melo, it’s a great organization. You know, like we have middle school [programs]. Everybody is like family with each other. It's a great community to be in. Everybody from the DMV area and stuff like that. I just feel like when we’re in the hotel preparing for games, it's a great community and it feels like we’re all family.
PI: Your dad has been here supporting Team Melo at your games this weekend — what is the best basketball advice you’ve received from him?
KA: Right. Him just telling me to keep going, you know, be aggressive, get to my spots. Don't force it. Like, let the game come to you, you know? He always tells me to use my pump fake and stuff like that. Just get to my spots and shoot my open shots and just be ready.
PI: Your mom is a successful businesswoman, as well — what's the best piece of advice you’ve received from her?
KA: As a mom, she just tells me to keep going. She tells me it's a marathon, not a race. Everything is not gonna happen in one day, you know? So I just try to keep going. I try to get in the gym every day and just work on my craft and get better.
PI: You recently got a tattoo after your 16th birthday — what was the story behind the new ink?
KA: You know, I got a tattoo on my 16th birthday. I got it on my left leg on my calf area and it says, “creator of my own reality.” So you know, I feel like only I can control what happens in my reality. So like my dad can tell me so much, but only I can control what decisions I'm really making and stuff like that.
PI: Congrats on the move to LuHi, by the way. How did the opportunity come about?
KA: The opportunity, you know, I used to go to Christ the King (NY). Things didn't really work out there. So LuHi has always been in the picture, you know? When I was looking at high school in 8th grade, I was looking at them so when they came to me, when I was looking to transfer, I just feel like they really took me in as a family and really told me, like over the two months when I didn't play, I feel like I was really getting my body right and getting my game right so I could come to the EYBL scene and really perform.
PI: For those who aren’t familiar with your game, what are your greatest strengths and playstyle?
KA: I am a three-level scorer that can create my shot from anywhere on the floor. I can space the court out. I am a knockdown shooter and a reliable finisher, a solid off-ball defender, and an improving on-ball defender.
PI: Who do you model your game after or study on film?
KA: I study Paul George and Carmelo Anthony for everything. I feel like they have the full package including handles, shot, defense, physicality, etc.
PI: What is your recruitment update? Who have you been hearing from the most, lately?
KA: You know Syracuse, of course. I just got offers from Providence and Seton Hall. I'm really close with the Seton Hall coach, the Providence coach, Coach Kim, I'm really close to him, and I've been talking to a lot of schools. Michigan's Juwan Howard, he really shows love to me every time we speak, but I don't have that offer yet, so I'm just still talking to him and stuff like that. Pittsburgh, a lot of other schools in Indiana, Houston, stuff like that.
PI: Any schools you hope to visit in the near future?
KA: I will start taking my visits in September of this year. Still keeping all my options open. I will visit schools I feel most needed and most welcomed.
PI: What type of offensive system best fits your playing style?
KA: Well, I'm not really sure right now I'm just keeping my options open. You know, I still gotta take my visits. Offensively, I like any college that could really space the floor and run the pick-and-roll and stuff like that and really just drive-and-kick to shooters.
PI: What are your biggest interests outside of basketball?
KA: Yeah, I play a lot of video games. I like to hang out with my friends. I like to go out, watch movies and stuff like that. But yeah, I just feel like I like to hang out with my friends, be around them, laugh and joke outside of basketball.
PI: Who are your favorite music artists?
KA: Favorite music artist…Lil Baby.
PI: You have one hashtag to describe yourself. What is it?
KA: #GrindDontStop, because you know I can't get complacent in this basketball stuff. People, they are always outworking you when you’re sleeping, there's people in the gym. So that's why I'm saying grind don’t stop.
PI: If you woke up tomorrow and we gave you $1,000,000, what would be your first purchase?
KA: $1,000,000, I'm gonna give half of it to my mom, let her do what she wants, you know, buy a car, buy a house, stuff like that, and I'll use the rest to buy my car, do stuff like that. So my mom, like all the credit goes to her, so I'll give her at least half of the money.
PI: How would you define the word ‘success?’
KA: Success is really what you want it to be. So for myself, I mean success in a basketball world, it's just getting to where you want to be, like whether it's D1, whether it's NBA, G League, overseas, you know. You set your own goal and as long as you complete that goal or get somewhere close to it, that's your success.
PI: What is your dream NIL deal and why?
KA: Yeah, well, I've only just finished my sophomore year, so I mean, of course, Jordan because my dad signed with Jordan — so I guess that would be my dream NIL deal right now. But a lot of offers have been coming to the table, and I'm just waiting and going through the process.
PI: You wore the Kobe 5 Protro Undefeated Hall Of Fame today — what is your favorite basketball shoe to wear on the court?
KA: Yeah, any Kobes, Kobe V, anything, Grinches. I feel like when I put Kobes on, I turn into a whole different person so I really like the Kobes.
PI: Name four words that best describe you.
KA: Greatness, hard worker, not complacent, and grateful.
PI: At the end of the day, what do you hope to be remembered for?
KA: As a player, like outside of being Carmelo’s son, I want everybody to see that I'm a great person off the court. Even on the court, I'm really competitive. I don't like to lose. So when it's all said and done, I just want people to realize how good of a person I am. I'm nice to people. I like to give back and stuff like that.