Five-star men’s basketball recruit and USC commit Alijah Arenas has been placed in an induced coma after he was involved in a serious car crash in the Los Angeles area early Thursday morning, sources told ESPN.
According to a Los Angeles Fire Department public information officer, officials responded to a call at 4:55 a.m. after a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into a tree/fire hydrant with fire involved. The LAFD did not identify the person involved but said that the 18-year-old driver was out of the vehicle and that he was transported to the hospital in serious condition.
The Los Angeles Police Department said later Thursday that Arenas was in stable condition.
Sources told ESPN that initial tests showed he did not suffer broken bones.
Arenas is a son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas. He is the No. 13-ranked recruit in the class of 2025 after reclassifying in December then committing to the Trojans in January.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Alijah and his family following this morning’s accident,” Trojans coach Eric Musselman said in a statement. “Please keep him, his teammates and friends, and the entire Arenas family in your prayers.”
ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti contributed to this report.