Alijah Arenas, a five-star USC commit and son of former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas, is out of a medically-induced coma and recovering after a car crash early Thursday, according to a family statement, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“In a remarkable and hopeful development, Alijah Arenas has come out of his coma and has shown significant signs of progress within the last 24 hours, the statement read. “In a powerful and emotional moment, Alijah opened his eyes and was able to write on a piece of paper that he remembered the smoke and asked, ‘Did anyone get hurt?’
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“Although he remains intubated, this progress marks a critical step forward in his recovery. His mother, Laura Govan, father Gilbert Arenas, siblings and family have been by his side every step of the way, holding onto faith and drawing strength from the prayers and love pouring in from around the world.”
According to multiple reports, Alijah Arenas was in a Tesla Cybertruck early Thursday morning when the vehicle hit a fire hydrant before slamming into a tree, per the Los Angeles Times. The accident was caused by loss of control of the vehicle, according to the Times. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected, a police source told the Times.
Alijah Arenas, a 6-foot-6 guard from Chatsworth High School in suburban Los Angeles, is considered one of the best prospects of the class of 2025. He considered offers from a number of schools, including Kansas and Kentucky, before committing to USC in January.
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His excellent high school performance earned Arenas a spot in the McDonald’s All-American Game in April. Arenas scored 11 points for the West, helping lead the team to a 105-92 victory over the East. Gilbert Arenas was in the stands for the contest, watching Alijah show off his skills.
Gilbert Arenas spent 11 seasons in the NBA, most of which came with the Wizards. After being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft, Arenas turned in a modest rookie season before winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award during his second year in the league.
He joined the Wizards as a free agent and saw his career take off. Arenas averaged 25 points and 5.7 assists in eight years in Washington. He was a three-time All-Star and finished eighth in the MVP voting after the 2006-07 season.
Following his NBA career, Gilbert Arenas has hosted YouTube shows and podcasts. He started the “Gil’s Arena” podcast with Underdog Fantasy Sports in 2023. Thursday’s taping of the show was canceled. No reason was given for the decision.
