An NCAA debut that caught attention especially to NBA fans. That’s what’s buzzing right now as Kiyan Anthony snapped heads in his. The son of Carmelo Anthony looked every bit as his father in his first collegiate outing.
@TheDunkCentral posted, “Kiyan Anthony in his first collegiate game: 15 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 6/10 FG.” That single stat line was enough to ignite NBA Fans who’ve long followed the hype around both Kiyan and Bronny James, the son of LeBron.
Kiyan Anthony in his first collegiate game:
15 points
3 assists
3 rebounds
6/10 FG(🎥 @nbabzyy )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 4, 2025
One fan, @KawhiNewEra, didn’t hold back: “Already better than Bronny.” Another added more fuel to the fire, @canttakemysoul saying, “niggas said he was Bronny i will never forget that.” It was the kind of night that instantly reshaped online conversations about the next generation of basketball sons.
NBA Fans compared playing styles. Kiyan was a smooth operator against tight defenses. You can’t help but see his father when you see him play. Whether he can take his game and make it his own remains to be seen. Stepping out of your basketball star dad’s shadow is tough. Looking at Bronny, who NBA fans can’t seem to stop comparing.
It isn’t just about outplaying Bronny, though. Kiyan showed signs of real growth, both on and off the ball. His shot selection, spacing, and awareness hinted at a player more focused on team rhythm than highlight reels.
NBA Fans are locked in. One game may not define a college career, but Kiyan Anthony’s debut just gave basketball’s next family rivalry a serious spark.
From Melo’s Son To College Star: Kiyan Anthony’s Calm Caught NBA Fans’ Eye
If his first game was any indication, Kiyan Anthony has more than just the name. The young guard showed flashes of veteran composure in Syracuse’s opening match, scoring key buckets and leading runs that had NBA Fans glued to their screens.
@Cuse_MBB shared, “Back-to-back buckets by @kiyananthony,” showing how quickly he could shift momentum. For NBA Fans, that clip was all it took to draw comparisons to his father—and to LeBron’s sons.
Back-to-back buckets by @kiyananthony 🎯🎯
He has 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting with 14:51 left. pic.twitter.com/s1vPPiBm4b
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) November 4, 2025
User @BmoreLikeDBK went straight to the point: “Kiyan better than Bronny and Bryce just like Melo always been better than Lebron.” The comment section exploded, turning what was supposed to be a debut highlight into a full-on debate.
But beyond the comparisons, what stood out most was his demeanor.
@mw19860 summed it up best: “I love everything about this kid. He’s focused, confident, mature, and plays within his game.”
That poise, something even NBA Fans didn’t expect this early, sets Kiyan apart.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
