Alijah Arenas is known best as the son of Gilbert Arenas, but he’s already establishing his own legacy.
Unlike his father, he was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2024, averaging over 30 points per game as a freshman, sophomore, and junior before reclassifying from the Class of 2026 to the Class of 2025.
Appearing on his father’s podcast, the young Arenas unveiled his awaited declaration of where his talents would take him at the next level: USC.
Alijah Arenas Commits to USC Trojans Live on Father’s Podcast
Standing at 6’6″, Arenas is a highly touted guard prospect coming out of Chatsworth Charter High School in Los Angeles, listed as a five-star prospect and the No. 1 shooting guard, No. 2 Californian, and No. 10 player in the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports.
Touted for his smooth skill set and quickness, Arenas’ NBA bloodlines are apparent immediately. However, arguably most prolific is his stat-stuffing ability, showing versatility as a 30-point scorer who averaged eight rebounds per game with over a block and a steal in his high school career.
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Furthermore, he shot 38% from 3-point range in 2024 while sinking 75% of his free throws, according to MaxPreps.
His abilities as a versatile scorer make him an ideal 2-guard, with a reported 7′ wingspan and 8’9″ standing reach, according to 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein.
With his NBA bloodlines — the son of a three-time NBA All-Star and 11-year pro — he brings a lot of promise to the USC Trojans.
Arenas had narrowed his college choices to five options: Arizona, USC, Kentucky, Louisville, and Kansas. The elder Arenas attended Arizona, while Alijah’s sister Izela plays for the Louisville Cardinals, a freshman guard in 2024 out of Sierra Canyon School.
Alijah Arenas having fun in Chatsworth's 79-58 victory over Birmingham https://t.co/dGOpnU7Kkl pic.twitter.com/zQWrYW53ZP
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 30, 2025
Arenas FaceTimed head coach Eric Musselman to announce his college declaration before all of the podcast’s hosts went around and gave the young Arenas advice on how to approach college as both an athlete and a young adult.
Much to Nick Young’s excitement, a USC Trojan himself, Arenas said he saw the Trojans as his “best fit,” saying he brings a desire to learn and be coachable as he stays in the Los Angeles area.
ALIJAH ARENAS COMMITS TO USC 🔥🎉👏 pic.twitter.com/oJ1dPvr32O
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) January 30, 2025
The Trojans have had recent success in producing freshman guards, sending both Isaiah Collier and Bronny James to the NBA in the 2024 NBA Draft both at the age of 19. However, even back when he was with the Arkansas Razorbacks, Musselman showed a willingness to trust his young guards, notably Anthony Black who was drafted sixth overall in 2023.
The Chatsworth product said that Musselman stood out as a coach as well because of his constant communication, saying it separated him compared to other coaches who were less responsive, especially before his reclassification.
Arenas will team up with Class of 2025 prospects Jerry Easter (four-star who signed his letter of intent) and Elzie Harrington (four-star hard commit) on the Trojans in 2025.
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