USC Basketball Recruit Alijah Arenas in Induced Coma After Car Accident

Promising five-star basketball recruit and USC commit, Alijah Arenas, has been placed in an induced coma following a severe car accident in the Los Angeles area early Thursday, sources revealed to ESPN.

Arenas is reportedly in stable condition, the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed.

According to a representative from the Los Angeles Fire Department, authorities responded to an emergency call at 4:55 a.m. involving a Tesla Cybertruck that had collided with a tree and a fire hydrant, subsequently catching fire. Although the LAFD has not released the individual’s identity, they reported that the 18-year-old driver had exited the vehicle and was transported to the hospital in serious condition.

Sources verified that Arenas was involved in the incident and informed ESPN that preliminary examinations indicate he did not incur any broken bones.

Alijah Arenas is the son of former NBA standout Gilbert Arenas. He is currently ranked 13th in the 2025 recruitment class, having reclassified last December and committed to the USC Trojans in January.