Alijah Arenas making long-awaited debut for USC basketball tonight
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Alijah Arenas making long-awaited debut for USC basketball tonight
Craig Meyer, USA TODAY NETWORK·USA TODAY Sports
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5 min read
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The freshman class during the 2025-26men's college basketballseason has been one of the best in years, headlined by projected NBA lottery picks who are making enormous impacts for NCAA Tournament-bound teams.
BYU'sAJ Dybantsaand Duke'sCameron Boozerare two of the top five leading scorers in the sport this season, and are among the small handful of favorites for various national player of the year awards while leading top-15 teams.Caleb Wilsonhas been a revelation for North Carolina, a rangy 6-foot-10 forward who's averaging nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Despite missing nearly half the season thus far with a nagging injury,Darryn Peterson, the No. 1 player in the class, has been as good as advertised for Kansas, averaging 21.6 points per game. Even players nowhere near the top of the recruiting rankings have thrived, such as Stanford's Ebuka Okorie, who is ninth among all Division I players in scoring despite being the No. 119 prospect in 247Sports' rankings coming out of high school.
This week, one of the top recruits from that class is set to make his long-awaited college debut.
Alijah Arenas, a 6-foot-6 guard who was the No. 10 player in 247's rankings of the 2025 recruiting class, is set to make his college debut on Wednesday, Jan. 21 when his USC team hosts Northwestern.
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Arenas had been sidelined since July, when he suffered a torn meniscus during a summer practice that ultimately kept him out six months. The injury came three months after Arenas was in an April car wreck that put him in a coma.
He'll return to a USC team that's 14-4 in its second season under coach Eric Musselman, but could use the contributions of his talent and versatility. After a 12-1 start to the season, the Trojans have dropped three of their past five games, though each loss came against teams ranked in the top 10 of the latestUSA TODAY Sports Caches Poll.
As he prepares for his first college game, here's a closer look at Arenas:
2026: Michigan Wolverines
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
2025: Florida Gators
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
2024: Connecticut Huskies
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2023: Connecticut Huskies
(Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)
2022: Kansas Jayhawks
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2021: Baylor Bears
(Grace Hollars, IndyStar)
2019: Virginia Cavaliers
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2018: Villanova Wildcats
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2017: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2016: Villanova Wildcats
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2015: Duke Blue Devils
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2014: Connecticut Huskies
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2013: Louisville Cardinals (title later vacated)
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2012: Kentucky Wildcats
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2011: Connecticut Huskies
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2010: Duke Blue Devils
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2009: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2008: Kansas Jayhawks
(Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports)
2007: Florida Gators
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2006: Florida Gators
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2005: North Carolina Tar Heels
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2004: Connecticut Huskies
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2003: Syracuse Orangemen
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2002: Maryland Terrapins
(MICHAEL A. SCHWARZ, USA TODAY Sports)
2001: Duke Blue Devils
(JACK GRUBER, USA TODAY Sports)
2000: Michigan State Spartans
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
1999: Connecticut Huskies
(EILEEN BLASS, USA TODAY Sports)
1998: Kentucky Wildcats
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
1997: Arizona Wildcats
(H. DARR BEISER, USA TODAY Sports)
1996: Kentucky Wildcats
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
1995: UCLA Bruins
(RVR Photos, USA TODAY Sports)
1994: Arkansas Razorbacks
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
1993: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
1992: Duke Blue Devils
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
1991: Duke Blue Devils
(Getty Images)
1990: UNLV Runnin' Rebels
(Ken Levine, Getty Images)
1989: Michigan Wolverines
(Getty Images)
1988: Kansas Jayhawks
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
1987: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1986: Louisville Cardinals
(The Courier-Journal)
1985: Villanova Wildcats
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1984: Georgetown Hoyas
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1983: North Carolina State Wolfpack
(Getty Images)
1982: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1981: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1980: Louisville Cardinals
(The Courier-Journal)
1979: Michigan State Spartans
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1978: Kentucky Wildcats
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
1977: Marquette
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1976: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1975: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1974: North Carolina State Wolfpack
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1973: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1972: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1971: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1970: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
1969: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1968: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1967: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1966: Texas Western Miners
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1965: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1964: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1963: Loyola Ramblers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1961: Cincinnati Bearcats
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
1960: Ohio State Buckeyes
(Bill Foley, Columbus Dispatch)
1/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2026: Michigan Wolverines
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
1/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2026: Michigan Wolverines
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
2/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2025: Florida Gators
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
3/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2024: Connecticut Huskies
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
4/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2023: Connecticut Huskies
(Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)
5/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2022: Kansas Jayhawks
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
6/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2021: Baylor Bears
(Grace Hollars, IndyStar)
7/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2019: Virginia Cavaliers
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
8/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2018: Villanova Wildcats
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
9/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2017: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
10/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2016: Villanova Wildcats
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
11/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2015: Duke Blue Devils
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
12/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2014: Connecticut Huskies
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
13/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2013: Louisville Cardinals (title later vacated)
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
14/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2012: Kentucky Wildcats
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
15/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2011: Connecticut Huskies
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
16/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2010: Duke Blue Devils
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
17/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2009: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
18/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2008: Kansas Jayhawks
(Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports)
19/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2007: Florida Gators
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
20/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2006: Florida Gators
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
21/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2005: North Carolina Tar Heels
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
22/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2004: Connecticut Huskies
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
23/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2003: Syracuse Orangemen
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
24/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2002: Maryland Terrapins
(MICHAEL A. SCHWARZ, USA TODAY Sports)
25/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2001: Duke Blue Devils
(JACK GRUBER, USA TODAY Sports)
26/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2000: Michigan State Spartans
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
27/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1999: Connecticut Huskies
(EILEEN BLASS, USA TODAY Sports)
28/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1998: Kentucky Wildcats
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
29/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1997: Arizona Wildcats
(H. DARR BEISER, USA TODAY Sports)
30/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1996: Kentucky Wildcats
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
31/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1995: UCLA Bruins
(RVR Photos, USA TODAY Sports)
32/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1994: Arkansas Razorbacks
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
33/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1993: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
34/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1992: Duke Blue Devils
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
35/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1991: Duke Blue Devils
(Getty Images)
36/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1990: UNLV Runnin' Rebels
(Ken Levine, Getty Images)
37/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1989: Michigan Wolverines
(Getty Images)
38/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1988: Kansas Jayhawks
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
39/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1987: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
40/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1986: Louisville Cardinals
(The Courier-Journal)
41/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1985: Villanova Wildcats
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
42/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1984: Georgetown Hoyas
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
43/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1983: North Carolina State Wolfpack
(Getty Images)
44/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1982: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
45/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1981: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
46/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1980: Louisville Cardinals
(The Courier-Journal)
47/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1979: Michigan State Spartans
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
48/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1978: Kentucky Wildcats
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
49/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1977: Marquette
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
50/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1976: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
51/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1975: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
52/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1974: North Carolina State Wolfpack
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
53/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1973: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
54/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1972: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
55/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1971: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
56/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1970: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
57/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1969: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
58/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1968: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
59/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1967: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
60/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1966: Texas Western Miners
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
61/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1965: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
62/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1964: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
63/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1963: Loyola Ramblers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
64/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1961: Cincinnati Bearcats
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
65/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1960: Ohio State Buckeyes
(Bill Foley, Columbus Dispatch)
Are Alijah Arenas, Gilbert Arenas related?
If Arenas' last name seems familiar, especially for a standout basketball player, there's a good reason for it.
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Arenas is the son of three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas. His father's not the only athlete in the family, either: Alijah Arenas' mother, Laura Govan, played basketball at New Mexico State from 1999-2001 and his older sister, Izela, is a former top-100 recruit who is a sophomore guard at Kansas State.
Arenas is one of several freshmen in college basketball this season who are the sons of former NBA stars. Duke's Cameron and Cayden Boozer are the sons of two-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist Carlos Boozer, who also played for the Blue Devils.
Kiyan Anthony, the No. 32 recruit in the 2025 class, is a freshman guard at Syracuse, where his father, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, won a national championship as a freshman in 2003. Georgia's Jake Wilkins is also following in the footsteps of his father, playing for the same Bulldogs program that Dominique Wilkins suited up for before being enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Alijah Arenas high school
Arenas attended Chatsworth High School in California, where he scored 3,002 points in just three seasons to become the No. 14 career scorer in California boys' high school basketball history.
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His high school production helped him get selected for the 2025 McDonald's All-American Game.
Last July, USC announced that Arenas had suffered a knee injury during a practice that required surgery and was projected to sideline him for six to eight months.
"Alijah is a tremendous worker, teammate, competitor, and person,"Musselman said at the time. "He is understandably disappointed that he will not be able to take the court to start the season, but his health is our No. 1 priority. We have no doubt that he will come back even stronger. We look forward to supporting him during this process."
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Arenas recovered quickly, as his return to game action will come fewer than six full months since the injury occurred.
It wasn't the only setback Arenas endured last year. Last April in Reseda, California, Arenas lost control of his Tesla Cybertruck and crashed into a fire hydrant and tree. The car caught on fire, but Arenas was able to get out through the driver's side window with the help of two onlookers. He was transported to a local hospital and placed in a coma. When he came out of the coma one day later, he was unable to speak.
By June, he was able to rejoin the team for practice.
"Seeing my teammates has really motivated me a lot to push forward and keep up with the team,"Arenas said in June. "When I got out of the hospital, I was already thinking about the team...My work ethic hasn't changed. I still workout every morning."
Arenas is 18 years old and will turn 19 on March 16. He was originally set to be in the 2026 recruiting class before reclassifying to the 2025 class in December 2024.
