Kiyan Anthony is keeping his father’s legacy close.
The Syracuse commit and son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony recently debuted a new tattoo paying tribute to his dad’s unforgettable 2003 national championship run with the Orange. The ink, done by artist Steve Wiebe, features Carmelo holding a Post-Standard newspaper with the headline “Committed,” capturing the moment Kiyan himself announced his decision to play for Syracuse. It’s a powerful blend of past and present, honoring Carmelo’s iconic freshman season while marking the beginning of Kiyan’s own journey in the same program.
https://t.co/8GwgUhsGPT pic.twitter.com/uM0HqPoAjA
— B | The Motivator (@sportyspicce) August 12, 2025
We’ve seen some wild tattoos from NBA athletes before, but this one is more touching than anything else. By all accounts, it’s Kiyan’s way of celebrating and sharing his father’s legacy, seemingly in hopes of following in his footsteps. The good news is, he’s off to a solid start.
Carmelo Anthony is a basketball legend and a 19-year NBA veteran. After leading Syracuse to a National Championship in 2003, he was drafted 3rd overall by the Denver Nuggets. As the New York native developed into a star, he built up a legacy as one of the greatest scorers of his generation.
Over 19 years in the league, he averaged 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He was a 10x All-Star, 6x All-NBA player, and former scoring champion. He went on to play for the Nuggets, Knicks, Thunder, Rockets, Trail Blazers, and Lakers. He retired in 2023 and has since been honored as a Hall of Famer.
While Carmelo never won an NBA title, that one championship in Syracuse will forever be one of his most iconic and impressive feats. To this day, it’s the only championship that the Syracuse Orange have won, but Anthony’s own son is aiming to change that.
The young hooper turned 18 in March and has officially committed to Syracuse after an electric high school tenure, where he averaged 15.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game as a senior for Long Island Lutheran.
At 6’5″, Kiyan has developed into a four-star recruit with a clean jumper and intriguing upside. Unsurprisingly, Kiyan is also a gifted scorer and a natural shooter who is good off the catch and off the dribble.
This upcoming season will give Kiyan a chance to add to his family’s legacy by winning where his dad first became a star over 20 years ago. While he’s not projected to be the face of the team, he will surely play a big role for them as someone who is tied to their greatest moment in the program’s history.
What comes after that is anyone’s guess, but it’s easy to tell that Kiyan is passionate and devoted to the craft, matching the drive that made Carmelo a legend. If he’s able to live up to the hype, it will make for an amazing story in the NBA.
If all goes well, Kiyan Anthony’s tattoo won’t just be a tribute; it’ll be the start of a new chapter in the Anthony family legacy. Following in his father’s footsteps at Syracuse gives him the perfect stage to make his own mark, and fans will be watching closely to see if he can add another banner to the rafters.
