Alijah Arenas, the 18-year-old USC basketball commit and son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas and reality TV personality Laura Govan, is out of a medically induced coma after a serious car accident in Los Angeles. The crash occurred early Thursday morning when his Tesla Cybertruck struck a tree and fire hydrant, igniting the vehicle.
In a statement released Friday, the family shared that Alijah is now awake and showing significant signs of progress. Although he remains intubated, he was able to open his eyes and write a note asking, “Did anyone get hurt?”
Update: Alijah Arenas is now out of his induced coma and making progress in recovery while being intubated following a car crash Thursday.
Statement from the family: pic.twitter.com/SgzHbrPJ3c
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 25, 2025
The family expressed deep gratitude to the individuals who rescued Alijah from the burning vehicle and to the medical staff overseeing his care. They described his survival and ongoing recovery as “nothing short of miraculous” and requested continued prayers and support from the public.
Alijah, a standout guard at Chatsworth High School, is one of the nation’s top basketball prospects in the class of 2025. He recently committed to USC and is expected to play a significant role in the Trojans’ upcoming season.
USC men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman also extended his support, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Alijah and his family following this morning’s accident. Please keep him, his teammates and friends, and the entire Arenas family in your prayers.”
