Alijah Arenas was already taking the high school basketball world by storm as one of his brightest young stars before a devastating car accident put his college basketball future on hold.
His recovery timetable is uncertain, but he is still projected to join the USC Trojans as a five-star athlete ranked 7th in the country.
Despite Car Accident Setback, Alijah Arenas Remains Focused on Recovery and Future Basketball Success
Alijah Arenas, who hails from Chatsworth High School in California, had already established himself as one of the most dangerous scoring threats on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit, and at age 17, playing with the Compton Magic. He averaged 21.4 points per game with a scorching shooting percentage of 48.0% from over four attempts per game.
On3 National Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw suggested that Arenas showed efficiency on the offensive side. Scoring an average of 1.016 points per possession, he also helped lead his team to the Final Four of the Circuit.
His performances showed he had an arsenal of polished scoring, impressive for his age, and much going for him in size at the next level.
Even with time lost due to minor injuries, his potential was seen at the USA Basketball U17 Training Camp, where he ended up being one of the last cuts from the squad. He can score at all levels and compete against some of the top prospects.
Alijah Arenas’s Recovery Timeline Is Uncertain, But Hopes Remain High
His position remained one of the country’s best, but questions linger regarding Arenas’ recovery. Information surrounding his injuries following the car accident has remained chiefly private, and no official timetable exists for him to return fully to the court.
However, most programs looking at recruiting Arenas continue to stay on board with their recruiting efforts, as they would rather concentrate on what he may do for them in the future instead of whether he will be available for now. His past production, work ethic, and natural scoring ability give everyone a fair amount of hope.
KEEP READING: Hoops Analyst Says Alijah Arenas Could Be X-Factor If Healthy for USC Run
Even with so much ambiguity, Arenas’s recruitment has not slowed. Coaches and scouts continue to make it known that Arenas is a long-term project and that if he returns to full strength, he will develop into a star on the collegiate and professional levels.
As posts on his rehabilitation stream in, fans and analysts alike will be waiting to see if this gifted guard can carry on right where he left off to pursue his goals in greatness, one step at a time.
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