LeBron James Sends Message to Kiyan Anthony After College Debut

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Nov 4, 2025 11:49 AM ET

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has had one of the greatest basketball careers in history. He is in his 23rd season in the NBA and has amassed 21 All-Star appearances, six All-Defensive team selections, four NBA MVP awards and four NBA championships in his career.

In 1,562 career games, James has totaled the most minutes played (59,041) and total points (42,184) in NBA history. He has averaged 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game in his career between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and the Lakers.

He was selected with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers, and two picks later, Carmelo Anthony was drafted by the Denver Nuggets third overall.

Throughout their careers, James and Anthony became friends as they competed against each other, and they were teammates on the Lakers in Anthony's final NBA season. The two were also teammates on the USA national team in two gold medal runs at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012.

Anthony's son, Kiyan Anthony, is following in his father's footsteps, as he plays for the Syracuse Orange, just like Carmelo Anthony did.

Anthony graduated from Long Island Lutheran High School in New York in 2025, where he became one of the most highly touted guard recruits in the country.

Syracuse Orange forward Kiyan Anthony (7) drives to basket against the Binghamton Bearcats.© Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The freshman guard, who was a four-star recruit and seventh-ranked shooting guard in the country in the class of 2025, according to 247Sports , made his collegiate debut against the Binghamton Bearcats on Tuesday.

Anthony played 29 minutes off the bench, shooting 6-of-10 from the floor with 15 points, three rebounds and three assists.

On Wednesday, James praised Anthony on his Instagram story.

"Yessir nephew!!! @kiyananthony ," James wrote.

This was a phenomenal debut for Anthony, who will have lots of eyes on him throughout his freshman year at Syracuse. Not just because of his play, but to see if he can live up to the expectations that were set by his father with the Orange over two decades ago.

While James is currently out of action with a sciatica injury, Anthony's next game for Syracuse will come on Saturday against the Delaware State Hornets at 1 p.m. ET on ACC Extra.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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