At a Glance
- Alijah Arenas made his USC debut after a nine-month injury break.
- The Trojans fell 74-68 to Northwestern, finishing 14-5 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten.
- Arenas scored 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 29 minutes.
- Why it matters: His return signals a new chapter for USC’s Big Ten campaign.
Alijah Arenas returned to the court for the Southern California Trojans on Wednesday night after a nine-month layoff caused by a serious car accident. The freshman, a five-star recruit from Chatsworth High School, had 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 29 minutes as USC fell 74-68 to Northwestern.
Injury and Recovery
In April, Arenas was driving a Tesla Cybertruck when it crashed head-on into a tree on the 7900 block of Corbin Avenue in Winnetka. He was hospitalized for six days and underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, but he returned to practice about a month ago.
Game Performance
During the game, Arenas shot 3-of-15 from the floor and missed six 3-point attempts. He contributed 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists over 29 minutes. The Trojans finished 14-5 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten, a record that keeps their conference hopes alive.
Coaching Perspective
Coach Eric Musselman welcomed Arenas back to the team. “It was great to have him back with the rest of the guys,” Musselman said. “He’s got such a great basketball IQ and brings a tremendous amount of energy. It looked like he had been a part of practice for quite some time.”
Family Presence
Gilbert Arenas, Alijah’s father and former NBA All-Star, attended the game at Galen Center. His presence underscored the family’s support as Alijah steps onto the college court.
Looking Ahead
With Arenas now healthy, USC’s roster gains depth and experience. The Trojans will look to build on this debut as they navigate the remainder of the Big Ten schedule.
