Alijah Arenas is an emerging American basketball prodigy and highly-rated high school athlete, best known as the son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas. Born on March 16, 2007, in Oakland, California, and raised in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, Alijah has gained national recognition for his scoring prowess and athleticism at Chatsworth High School.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Alijah has set multiple records in his high school career, including breaking a California state playoff record with a 53-point game and becoming the all-time leading scorer in the CIF Los Angeles City Section history, accumulating 3,002 points in just three seasons. He earned several accolades such as the 2024-25 Cal-Hi Sports Division II Player of the Year, LA Daily News All-Area Player of the Year, John R. Wooden Award winner (high school player of the year), and was selected to the prestigious 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game. He also excelled in the AAU circuit with the Compton Magic, averaging 22 points per game. His wingspan and scoring skills have positioned him as a future NBA first-round pick.
College Commitment and Future Prospects
In January 2025, Alijah decided to play college basketball at the University of Southern California (USC). He picked the Trojans instead of other big schools like Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, and Louisville. He is expected to join the USC Men’s Basketball team for the 2025-26 season and is considered a five-star recruit with significant potential to ascend to the NBA in the future.
Notable Incident: Car Accident and Recovery
In April 2025, Alijah was involved in an extreme car accident while driving a Tesla Cybertruck in Los Angeles. The vehicle struck a tree and a fire hydrant and caught fire. He was saved and placed in a coma due to smoke inhalation. Fortunately, he made a full recovery and returned to basketball activities. However, in July 2025, it was reported that he suffered a torn meniscus knee injury expected to sideline him for 6-8 months, delaying his active participation in college basketball for the upcoming season.
Personal Background and Family
Alijah comes from a sports-oriented family. His father, Gilbert Arenas, was a three-time NBA All-Star, and his mother, Laura Govan, is known for her reality TV presence. He has three siblings, Izela, Hamiley, and Aloni, and a half-sister named Gia. Alijah’s older sister Izela also plays collegiate basketball at Kansas State. His uncles include NBA champions Matt Barnes and Derek Fisher. Gilbert Arenas has been an active coach and mentor throughout Alijah’s development.
Net Worth
Alijah Arenas’ net worth around between $100,000 and $2 million according to different sources. His earnings primarily come from sponsorships, brand partnerships, and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, with a notable NIL valuation of $720,000 that ranks him among top high school basketball prospects. While some reports estimate his net worth on the lower end around $100,000–$200,000 from Instagram promotions and brand collaborations, others suggest it could be closer to $1 to $2 million, factoring in potential future earnings from his anticipated college basketball career and endorsement deals with major sports brands.
Alijah Arenas is widely regarded as one of the most promising young basketball talents in the United States, with strong credentials and a high ceiling for a professional career.
