After receiving good news on the transfer front earlier in the week with Rodney Rice committing to the school, USC received horrible news on Thursday. Shams Charania reports that Alijah Arenas, son of NBA legend Gilbert Arenas, was involved in a serious car crash. While most details remain unknown, it was revealed that he was placed in a medically induced coma. The five-star recruit committed to USC and remains one of the best players on USC’s roster for the upcoming season. Arenas becomes the second USC commit to have a serious health episode in recent seasons after Bronny James went into cardiac arrest in the summer of 2023.
Five-star prospect and USC commit Alijah Arenas was involved in a serious car crash early Thursday morning, hospitalized and placed into an induced coma, sources tell ESPN. Arenas, 18, is the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 24, 2025
Five-Star Recruit and Gilbert Areans’ Son Alijah Arenas, In Coma
Arenas as a Prospect
Arenas committed to USC in January ahead of his McDonald’s All-American game selection. A 6-foot-6 shooting guard, Arenas touts his father’s athleticism and basketball knowledge. He has an elite wingspan and amazing hands, making him an elite prospect on both sides of the ball. If Arenas returns to the court, he and Rice could make a dynamic duo in the backcourt that gives Big Ten teams problems for months.
Implications of Alijah Arenas’ Car Crash for USC
The basketball world is secondary to Alijah Arenas’ health after the car crash. However, it is still important to discuss the implications for the Trojans. I’ve already touched on how they lack elite talent. Rice is one player who would complement Arenas well in the backcourt, but otherwise, the roster has serious holes. They will need to attack the transfer portal well to fill in the holes. If Arenas is unable to play, that would seriously derail USC’s season. It appears that one or two more players could commit in the coming weeks, but Arenas was slated to be one of the best players on the roster with NBA potential. Now, they will only hope he can attend school at some point, let alone play next year.
The Last Word
At the end of the day, this is about more than basketball. Alijah Arenas is in serious trouble because of the car crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Arenas family as they endure the hardships that move forward. The basketball world may have mixed feelings about the Arenas family because of Gilbert’s polarizing personality. However, we are all united around one idea: Alijah’s health.
We all hope that one day, Arenas may be able to return to the basketball court. However, we care more about his eventual recovery and life. Basketball is secondary to a young man’s health. At 18, Arenas should have many more years left. We all hope that he gets the chance to keep living, dominate the basketball world, and tell his children about everything he overcame. We all want to hear positive news in the coming days and weeks, hoping that one day, we will get to see Arenas shine on the floor once more.
Photo credit: © Pamela Smith-Imagn Images
