Top USC recruit Alijah Arenas is out of an induced coma after a single-vehicle car crash early Thursday and is making progress, his family said in a statement. 
Upon opening his eyes, Arenas wrote on a piece of paper, “Did anyone get hurt?” his family said. Arenas is the son of former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas and committed to USC in January.
“In a remarkable and hopeful development, Alijah Arenas has come out of his coma and has shown significant signs of progress within the last 24 hours,” the family’s statement reads in part.
Per ESPN: “According to a Los Angeles Fire Department public information officer, officials responded to a call at 4:55 a.m. after a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into a tree/fire hydrant with fire involved. The LAFD did not identify the person involved but said the 18-year-old driver was out of the vehicle and that he was transported to the hospital in serious condition.”
KTLA5 News added: “In Friday’s statement, the family praised the ‘brave individuals’ who helped Arenas exit the Cybertruck following the crash, which was on fire.
“One of the witnesses told the family that he could hear someone banging on the car’s window from the inside, but couldn’t see inside because of the thick smoke. After noticing that one window was cracked, he and other Good Samaritans used their strength to bend that window enough to pull the teenager out of the burning truck.”
The family said the “act of courage, along with Alijah’s incredible will to survive, has been nothing short of miraculous.”
Arenas was a five-star recruit and earned McDonald’s All‑American honors while starring at Chatsworth (Calif.) High School. He formally committed to USC in January and was expected to join the Trojans this fall.
In his All‑American selection announcement, the 6‑foot‑5 guard was praised for his scoring ability and leadership on and off the court.
In a feature published this month by Sports Illustrated, Arenas spoke with Myckena Guerrero about his personality and aspirations.
“I’m kind of a guy that just likes to laugh and have fun, that’s my thing,” he said. “No matter where I am … I just want to make everybody smile.”
Gilbert Arenas, who played nine seasons in the NBA and was a three‑time All‑Star, issued a brief statement through family representatives, asking for privacy as his son continues to recover.
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