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

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 6:18 PM ET

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"

Five-star USC commit Alijah Arenas has been released from the hospital one week after his serious car crash in the Los Angeles area. Statement from the family: pic.twitter.com/5JhCQSaz8c
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 30, 2025

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.

Heartwarming news: Gilbert Arenas’ son Alijah has come out of his coma. Here’s a statement from the Arenas family. (And nice reminder there really are so many good people out there, and it’s a gift for us to get to look out for each other): pic.twitter.com/Ut2lbd950p
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 25, 2025

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

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