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What Happened to Gilbert Arenas’ Son Alijah Arenas?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gautam Varier | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 2:52 PM ET

Gilbert Arenas briefly became a star in the NBA during his 11-year career, going from a second-round pick to a franchise cornerstone for the Washington Wizards. Arenas made three straight All-Star teams from 2005 to 2007, and while he hit great heights, it seemed like his son, Alijah Arenas, was destined for even greater things.

Arenas made a name for himself at Chatsworth High School and was rated a consensus five-star recruit in both the 2026 class and 2025 after reclassification. The 18-year-old committed to USC in January 2025 and seemed on his way to stardom, but tragedy has now struck. Shams Charania reports Alijah was involved in a serious car crash Thursday morning and has now been placed into an induced coma.

Five-star prospect and USC commit Alijah Arenas was involved in a serious car crash early Thursday morning, hospitalized and placed into an induced coma, sources tell ESPN. Arenas, 18, is the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 24, 2025

This is heartbreaking news, and hopefully, Alijah pulls through this difficult time. Charania was informed by a Los Angeles Fire Department public information officer that officials responded to a call at 4:55 a.m. after a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into a tree/fire hydrant with fire involved. The McDonald's All-American reportedly didn't suffer any broken bones but was transported to the hospital in a serious condition.

Alijah was born to Gilbert Arenas and Laura Govan on March 16, 2007, in Oakland, California. He grew up in the Woodland Hills neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California, and rose to prominence at Chatsworth, averaging 30.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game in three seasons.

NBA players and others around the basketball community have offered their support to the family following the concerning news.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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