Kiyan Anthony continues to follow in the footsteps of his father, Carmelo. The New York high school student (16 years old) was in fact invited last weekend to a mini Team USA training camp, where he found other “sons of”: Tajh Ariza (son of Trevor), Alijah Arenas (Gilbert), Jermaine O’Neal Jr. (O’Neal Sr.) and Dylan Harper (Ron). No Bryce James, also summoned, since he was visiting the Ohio State campus.
Carmelo Anthony was present to support his offspring, and it brought back memories for him, he who participated in a similar camp in 2001 then mainly wore the jersey of the American selection, winning three Olympic gold medals. Will his son follow the same direction by participating in the U17 World Cup in 2024?
” The circle is complete “, comments Kiyan Anthony at Yahoo Sports. “It’s a privilege to be part of the same mini camp as my father, more than twenty years later. I remember being in London for the Games in 2012 and now I have an opportunity to represent my country, to be part of history. »
When talking about this moment with Team USA, the former Denver and New York player uses the same expression as his son.
“I think back to 2001, when I was 15 or 16, and it’s come full circle,” explains the top scorer of the 2012/13 season. “I’m on the other side now, I’m a parent cheering for their son. I’m a fan of a lot of these kids. I am with them, I talk to them. I’m here today, I see what’s happening with the youth teams in the selection, and I see the kids coming together and giving their all. There’s nothing better than this. »
He trains with dad
Not content with perhaps winning his place for the U17 World Cup next summer, Kiyan Anthony also took advantage of these three days with Team USA to show off in front of NBA scouts, who are observing the young talents to come. Because his academic future is already beginning to be mentioned, notably with the interest of Syracuse to follow, once again, in the footsteps of his illustrious father.
“I hope to demonstrate to NBA scouts that I continue to progress. I played in the Peach Jam, I was good and to see NBA and NCAA scouts looking at me is crazy,” he assures. “As for my future recruitment, the options before me are still very open. Everyone thinks I’m going to Syracuse, but this is not the case. It’s an option and a school that I love, but I will go to the best possible situation for me. »
The father and son also shared several training sessions this summer and rubbing shoulders with a multiple All-Star and eleventh leading scorer in NBA history is the best training for Kiyan.
“He is not gentle with me,” confides the high school student. “If I make a mistake, it falls on me. I don’t take it personally because he wants me to be good. When we play one-on-one, he defends on me aggressively so I can feel what the next level feels like. He played twenty years in the NBA, he is very hard on me so that I am ready. »