Alijah Arenas, a highly regarded high school basketball prospect and son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, was hospitalized early Thursday morning following a single‑vehicle crash, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Emergency responders found Arenas unresponsive at the scene and transported him to a nearby trauma center, where medical staff placed him in an induced coma. No further details regarding his condition have been released, and the hospital declined to comment.
A five‑star recruit in the Class of 2025, Arenas earned McDonald’s All‑American honors while starring at Chatsworth High School in California. He formally committed to the University of Southern California 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.
The basketball community has rallied around the Arenas family, with tributes and well‑wishes flooding social media platforms.
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