Alijah Arenas has emerged as one of the country’s most dynamic high school players, catching national attention with his elite scoring and ability. The USC commit was recently in a scary cybertruck crash but is reportedly recovering nicely after being in a medically induced coma.
If Alijah, the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, fully recovers and gets cleared to play this coming season, he could make a major impact.
Elijah Arenas Could Be USC’s X-Factor If Cleared to Play
The 6’7″ forward from Chatsworth High in Los Angeles, with a 7-foot wingspan, averaged 33 points and 8.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Alijah became the first boys’ player in L.A. high school history to eclipse 3,000 career points. He had 11 points in the McDonald’s All-American Game, solidifying his reputation among the nation’s best.
USC’s basketball program is shaping up to be a force next season, thanks in part to Aljah Arenas’s potential impact. A recent discussion between analysts Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman on “The Field of 68” highlighted Arenas as a potential game-changer for the Trojans if he returns to full health following a recent car crash.
“He is a bucket,” Goodman remarked, comparing Arenas to his father,r Gilbert. Standing 6’7″, Arenas possesses a rare combination of size, length, and scoring ability, which could elevate USC’s chances in the competitive college basketball landscape.
Alijah’s’ scoring prowess is well-documented, with his ability to score from anywhere on the court. Goodman highlighted his potential role at USC, emphasizing that Arenas is much “bigger and longer” than his father was at the same stage.
“He is a bucket but he’s he’s much bigger and longer than Gil was and much further along at the same stage than than Gil was,” he remarked.
If he recovers fully, Alijah’s scoring could be pivotal for USC’s chances in what is expected to be a challenging season.
However, concerns about USC’s roster remain. While Alijah Arenas’ offensive talents are undeniable, there are still questions about the Trojans’ overall fit.
Nevertheless, Goodman showed confidence in head coach Eric Musselman’s ability to navigate these challenges. Musselman, known for his tactical acumen, often tailors his game plans around mismatches and one-on-one opportunities, which could suit Arenas’ skill set perfectly.
“He can win a lot of matchups one-on-one, and when you’re able to create mismatches, and that’s the kind of thing that Eric Muselman can do really well, with so just from a basketball perspective, I do think that that’s going to make a lot of sense.”
With the addition of players like Chad Baker-Mazara and Rodney Rice, who both have scoring abilities, the pressure will be on to see if they can step up as leaders. As Dauster pointed out, both players have been “complementary” options at their previous teams, and it remains to be seen if they can take on a more prominent role at USC.
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If Arenas stays healthy and delivers on his potential, he could provide the Trojans with the scoring threat they need to compete for a top-tier finish in the competitive Big Ten.
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