In heartbreaking news that has stunned the basketball world, five-star recruit and USC commit Alijah Arenas has been placed into an induced coma following a serious car accident early Thursday morning.
The 18-year-old phenom, who is the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, was hospitalized after the crash, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The details of the incident remain limited, but the severity of the crash has sent shockwaves through the basketball community.
Alijah, widely regarded as one of the most electrifying high school players in the country, had just wrapped up a historic season with Chatsworth High and was preparing to begin his collegiate career at USC this fall.
“Prayers up for Alijah and the Arenas family” became the rallying cry across social media, with players, fans, and coaches expressing their support for the young star and his loved ones. The outpouring of concern speaks volumes to the type of person Alijah is, someone whose impact reaches far beyond basketball.
Arenas, who reclassified into the 2025 class, recently became the first LA City Section player to surpass 3,000 career points, joining an elite group of just 14 players in California state history to achieve the milestone.
He averaged 30.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in his senior season, leading Chatsworth to back-to-back CIF State final appearances — a feat not seen since Westchester High in 2009 and 2010.
Earlier this month, Alijah made headlines again when he appeared at the 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game in Brooklyn, where he scored 11 points to help Team West defeat Team East.
It’s that energy, magnetic, joyful, and uplifting behavior that made Alijah more than a basketball star. His presence was larger than his stats, larger than the spotlight he occupied.
His commitment to spreading joy, as he described it, reflected a maturity beyond his years, shaped by the strong influence of his mother, Laura Govan, and the supportive environment around him.
Alijah Arenas was more than just the son of a former NBA All-Star. He was carving his own path, as a leader, a record-setter, and a young man with a bright future both on and off the court. With his commitment to USC, he was poised to be one of the most exciting players in college basketball next season.
Now, the entire basketball world waits with bated breath, hoping for his recovery. For now, the focus is not on his stats or his next highlight-reel dunk, but on his health, his fight, and the unwavering support of a community standing behind him.
Get well soon, Alijah. The game can wait.
Update On Alijah Arenas
There’s a hopeful development in the heartbreaking story surrounding Alijah Arenas, the five-star USC basketball commit and son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, initial tests have confirmed that Alijah did not suffer any broken bones following a serious car crash early Thursday morning in Los Angeles.
“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.”
Sources close to the Arenas family have revealed that the induced coma Alijah was placed into was not due to any traumatic brain injury or critical organ damage but rather a precautionary measure to treat significant smoke inhalation.
The Cybertruck fire produced heavy smoke, and Alijah reportedly inhaled a large amount before being rescued.
While he remains hospitalized, this update brings a measure of relief. The absence of fractures or bone trauma drastically reduces the risk of long-term physical setbacks, especially crucial for a player with such a promising athletic future.
What remains now is a period of monitoring and recovery, with doctors keeping a close eye on Alijah’s breathing and lung health.
Inhalation injuries, especially those involving chemical or electrical fires like the one involved in a Tesla crash, can be unpredictable.
Though the next few days will be critical, this latest update is a reason for cautious optimism. Alijah Arenas has long spoken about wanting to bring smiles to people’s faces —and now, the entire basketball community is united in hoping that he’ll be able to return to doing just that, sooner rather than later.
