La La Anthony is one proud mom right now. The "Chi" actress, 43, lit up Instagram this week with a joyful recap of her 18-year-old son Kiyan’s first-ever college basketball game, and the energy was pure family pride.
Syracuse Orange fans had plenty to celebrate as the team defeated the Binghamton Bears, but for La La, the highlight came when her son scored his first college bucket. In her post, she shared a heartfelt video of herself reacting to that unforgettable moment, cheering wildly and capturing the emotion of a mom watching a lifelong dream come to life.
The post featured a sweet photo of La La hugging her towering son courtside, his orange-and-white jersey flashing proudly. She captioned it simply with his jersey number, orange hearts, and citrus emojis, a perfect nod to the Syracuse Orange spirit.
Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Kiyan Anthony’s college debut carries major family history. His father, NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, famously led Syracuse University to a national championship in 2003 before entering the NBA Draft and launching a 19-season career that made him one of the greatest scorers of his generation.
Kiyan committed to Syracuse in November 2024, telling "247 Sports" that his dad’s influence was a huge factor in his decision. “Syracuse is a big one for me because of my Dad,” he said. “He set the foundation over there so I won’t go wrong if I went there.”
Now, Kiyan is officially stepping into those iconic orange sneakers, ready to make his own mark, not just as “Carmelo’s son,” but as a rising player in his own right.
Passing the Torch
When Carmelo retired from professional basketball in May 2023, he posted a moving video reflecting on his career and his hopes for his son’s future. “My story has always been more than basketball. My legacy, my son, it’s in you,” he said. “I will forever continue through you because the time has come for you to carry this torch. Chase your dreams, let nothing hold you back.”
That torch has now officially been passed, and Kiyan is already shining with the same composure and focus that made his father a star.
A Mom’s Pride and Perspective
La La has been open about her pride in watching her son grow, both on the court and in the spotlight. Earlier this year, she spoke to PEOPLE about Kiyan’s growing fame on social media. “It makes me so proud,” she said. “Since I do know it, I’m able to kind of talk him through it, make sure he understands. And he’s so calm and humble and just a really great kid.”
Her biggest advice? Stay grounded. “Don’t listen to negative comments. Just do what makes you happy,” she said. “Quiet the outside noise. It’s not important.”
By December, La La was joking about her son’s newfound fame, noting that his nearly one million followers often recognize him on the streets. “It does get hard for him sometimes when it’s time to move around,” she said. “I’m a little careful with him taking the subways and stuff like that. It’s kind of hard for him to navigate the city when people are like, ‘Hey, let’s take a picture!’”