Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Five-star USC commit Arenas receives positive health update
Alijah Arenas. Pamela Smith-Imagn Images

Five-star USC commit Alijah Arenas receives positive health update

Alijah Arenas, a five-star USC basketball commit, found himself in a precarious situation on Thursday. He was involved in a serious single-car accident that wound him up in the hospital and in an induced coma.

It was a terrible moment for USC hoops, college basketball and the basketball world in general. Arenas is the son of Gilbert Arenas, who had a tremendous NBA career from 2001-12.

After a crash and subsequent update like that, the natural inclination is to assume the worse. ESPN is reporting some great news coming out of the Arenas camp, though. 

Not only is the five-star recruit out of the induced coma and healing up, but he's already improved enough to be released from the hospital. 

"We are grateful to share that Alijah Arenas has been released from the hospital and is now resting comfortably under close watch," a statement released to ESPN's Shams Charania said. "While his journey to full recovery is just beginning, his spirit remains strong, and he is surrounded by love and support"

Alijah was driving back from a gym session on Thursday morning when he lost control of a Tesla Cybertruck he was driving. This was according to a statement on Gilbert Arenas' podcast, as relayed by ESPN.

The Cybertruck caught fire after it crashed into a tree and/or fire hydrant and upon entering the hospital, Arenas was put into an induced coma because of smoke inhalation. The good news is, however, he experienced no major injures because of the crash. 

It does sound like he was in a critical situation at the time of the crash, but he was rescued by two people who helped him escape the truck.

From Chatsworth, California, Arenas is ranked as the No. 1 shooting guard in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He's been committed to USC since Jan. 30.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Maple Leafs Top Prospect Shatters Expectations at World Junior Showcase
NHL

Maple Leafs Top Prospect Shatters Expectations at World Junior Showcase

The World Junior Summer Showcase is in full swing, and Maple Leafs top prospect Ben Danford is shattering expectations, truly proving how good of a player he can be. The Toronto Maple Leafs' defensive prospect, Ben Danford, is among the 44 players who were invited to Hockey Canada's World Juniors Summer Showcase. Hockey Canada finally unveiled the 44 prospects who will head to Minnesota for the showcase, after they held the roster release back while the organization dealt with several injuries, which begins Sunday and runs through August 2 in Minneapolis. Defensive prospect Ben Danford is the only Maple Leafs player invited to the annual showcase, where Canada's World Junior staff will get their first look at what their team might look like for the 2026 World Juniors, which will also take place in Minnesota in December. Danford is being called the best player at the World Juniors Summer Showcase Danford has been exceeding expectations, and one source revealed that he has been the best player at the World Junior Showcase so far. The source said Danford is steady, smart, and hard to ignore on the ice. 'Ben Danford has been the best player at the World Junior Showcase he's steady, smart, and impossible to ignore. Makes every shift count, whether he's breaking up plays or starting the rush. Canada's blue line is in good hands.' - An unnamed source The Maple Leafs selected Danford with their first pick (31st overall) at the 2024 NHL Draft. During his visit to Toronto's development camp earlier this month, the defender revealed that he's receiving mentorship from current Leafs defensemen as well as some alumni like Mark Giordano. The 6-foot-2 Danford could make for an excellent fit for Canada should he make the team. He is responsible in his own end, and he demonstrated leadership capabilities when he was named captain of the Oshawa Generals ahead of the 2024-25 OHL season.

Report: Bengals draw hard line in Trey Hendrickson contract talks
NFL

Report: Bengals draw hard line in Trey Hendrickson contract talks

Cincinnati Bengals star defensive end Trey Hendrickson has been holding out from training camp as he seeks a new contract, and it does not sound like the two sides are all that close to a deal. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on "SportsCenter" Monday that there has been "some progress" in negotiations between the Bengals and Hendrickson's representatives over the past week or so. The real disagreement has to do with guaranteed money, and Cincinnati's brass is not budging. "Hendrickson wants a stronger guaranteed structure, particularly later in what should be a multiyear deal. In talking to people with the Bengals they feel like, 'Hey, we've probably relented as far as we can go.' So this is a classic stare-off right now, and it's time to buckle up," Fowler said, via Andrew Peters of Bleacher Report. Hendrickson is set to earn $16M in base salary in the final year of his contract this season. He recently said he has shown a willingness to take less than market value on a new deal, but the Bengals do not want to guarantee him money beyond the 2026 season. Based on what he has said, the 30-year-old Hendrickson is not seeking to become the highest-paid defensive player in football. In order to accomplish that, he would have to top the three-year, $123M extension T.J. Watt signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Hendrickson had 35 sacks over the past two seasons, which was the most in the NFL during that span. He had 17.5 sacks each season and finished second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024. The Bengals took care of one major offseason issue on Sunday when they finally signed first-round pick Shemar Stewart to a rookie deal. All it will take is one side to budge in the team's ongoing stalemate with Hendrickson, but all parties seem to be dug in as training camp rolls on.

Jonathan Kuminga could be a qualifying offer candidate after rejecting Warriors deal
NBA

Jonathan Kuminga could be a qualifying offer candidate after rejecting Warriors deal

The NBA offseason has been in full swing for nearly a month now, but Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors don't appear any closer to reaching an agreement on a new contract. Veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein shared that the Dubs' best offer to the restricted free agent's camp maxed out around two years, $40M. While this proposed extension would mark a substantial pay increase from Kuminga's rookie deal, the fourth-year forward and his camp are unmoved by the offer. Kuminga showed flashes of star potential over his last two seasons with Golden State, but he has proven to be a difficult talent to consistently utilize. When Draymond Green was healthy, Kuminga was nearly unplayable due to his inconsistent offensive contributions. As a result, he was limited to just 47 games and 10 starts in 2024-25, both career lows. It appears that the Warriors understand the untapped potential of Kuminga, but aren't willing to mortgage their future to watch his unfold. With three aging All-Stars in Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, Golden State's top priority is winning while they're still around. Kuminga simply doesn't fit the archetype or timeline of what the Warriors need right now. Stein also reported that Kuminga's camp is still adamantly searching for sign-and-trade possibilities, but the Warriors have maintained a steep asking price of a future first-round pick. Considering a team has yet to give Kuminga a competitive offer sheet, though, it seems unlikely that a team will agree to Golden State's demands. At this point, it seems to be in Kuminga's best interest to ride out one last season with the Warriors via a qualifying offer. This way, the multi-faceted forward can hand-pick his next destination as a restricted free agent in the offseason. Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists last year, proving he can provide a bit of everything in limited minutes, so there are undoubtedly suitors that will be curious to see Kuminga in a larger role. As a former lottery pick who has taken advantage of his inconsistent opportunities, he shouldn't have an issue latching on with a team that gives him the starting role he's searching for. But he may have to endure one last season under Steve Kerr's tight leash to get there.

Red Sox Targeting All-Star Starter At 'Annoying Level'
MLB

Red Sox Targeting All-Star Starter At 'Annoying Level'

It certainly seems like the Boston Red Sox are putting their best foot forward to acquire one of the top starting pitchers potentially on the trade block. The Red Sox kicked off a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Monday. It wasn't a great night for Boston full of wild weather, a last-second rain delay, and another walk-off loss. The timing of the series certainly is interesting. The series will end on Wednesday and then Boston will have a day off on Thursday which also is the day of the 2025 Major League Baseball trade deadline. Boston is getting some face time with the Twins right now and it sounds like the Red Sox are targeting one of the club's All-Stars. The Athletic's Jim Bowen reported a handful of teams are calling Minnesota at an "annoying level" for ace Joe Ryan. "The Red Sox, (New York Yankees), (Toronto Blue Jays), (Philadelphia Phillies), and (Seattle Mariners) are speed dialing the Twins at an annoying level with continued interest in Joe Ryan, basically their whole bullpen, Willi Castro and Harrison Bader," Bowden said. "Twins could end up being the headliner at the deadline as talks heat up according to sources." Ryan has a 2.82 ERA this season across 121 1/3 innings pitched. On top of this, Ryan still has two more seasons of arbitration-eligibility. He's the type of pitcher who could help Boston now and into the future. That's why he's a perfect fit, but he also would cost an arm and a leg, especially with all of the suitors for him.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!