Alijah Arenas, a five-star basketball prospect and USC commit, was involved in a severe car accident early Thursday morning in Los Angeles. The 18-year-old, who is the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, was driving a Tesla Cybertruck when the vehicle crashed into a tree and fire hydrant, catching fire upon impact. Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after 4:55 a.m. and transported Arenas to the hospital in serious condition.
According to reports, Arenas was placed into a medically induced coma due to smoke inhalation from the fire. Fortunately, initial tests revealed that he suffered no major bodily injuries, and he is expected to make a recovery. Tarrek Fattal, a reporter covering the incident, confirmed that the induced coma was a precautionary measure to address the effects of smoke inhalation.
Arenas, who recently reclassified to the Class of 2025, is ranked as one of the top basketball recruits in the nation. He committed to USC earlier this year, choosing the Trojans over other prestigious programs such as Alabama and Arizona. Known for his scoring ability and athleticism, Arenas has been a standout player at Chatsworth High School, averaging nearly 31 points per game and earning a McDonald’s All-American nod.
Updates on Arenas’ condition are expected in the coming days, and the hope is that this promising young athlete will make a full recovery and continue his journey toward a bright future in basketball.
