Alijah Arenas, a top basketball prospect and USC recruit, is recovering after a fiery car crash in Los Angeles left him hospitalized. The 18-year-old son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was placed in an induced coma but has shown encouraging signs of progress, according to a statement from his family.
The crash occurred early Thursday morning in the Reseda neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. Police say Arenas was driving a Tesla Cybertruck that struck a tree and fire hydrant before bursting into flames.
Video obtained by TMZ shows the wreck engulfed in fire as water sprayed from the hydrant. Two bystanders risked their lives to pull Arenas from the vehicle.
One rescuer recalled hearing banging on the window through thick smoke. “We used everything we had to bend a cracked window and pull him out,” the person said. “The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out.”
Though still intubated, Alijah Arenas has begun to communicate. His family said he remembered the smoke and wrote a note asking, “Did anyone get hurt?”
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash.
Arenas is among the most highly ranked recruits in the country. After reclassifying in December, he committed to USC in January.
He led Chatsworth High School to the Division II state title game and became the first boys’ high school player in Los Angeles to score over 3,000 points. He was recently selected for the McDonald’s All-American Game.
USC head coach Eric Musselman extended prayers to the Arenas family, while the family thanked first responders, hospital staff, and supporters. They remain hopeful and ask the public to continue praying as Alijah Arenas works toward recovery.