USC Recruit Alijah Arenas Out of Induced Coma After Fiery Los Angeles Car Crash

USC basketball recruit Alijah Arenas is showing promising signs of recovery after being placed in an induced coma following a serious car crash early Thursday morning in Los Angeles.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the 18-year-old was involved in a single-vehicle accident in the Reseda neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley just before 5 a.m. The Tesla Cybertruck he was driving reportedly collided with a tree and fire hydrant, sparking a fire that required immediate medical and emergency response. Arenas was transported to the hospital in serious condition.

In a statement released by the family on Friday, Arenas is confirmed to be out of the induced coma, though he remains intubated. His loved ones noted “significant signs of progress” in the past 24 hours, with the standout athlete even writing down a question after waking: “Did anyone get hurt?”

Dramatic footage shared by TMZ captured the vehicle in flames as bystanders rushed to help Arenas escape. One good Samaritan, quoted in the family’s statement, described the tense moment: “I tried to break the window, but it wouldn’t give… we used everything we had to bend it and pull him out. The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out.”

While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, Arenas’ recovery is being hailed as miraculous by both his family and community.

Arenas, the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, is one of the nation’s top basketball prospects. After reclassifying to the class of 2025 and committing to USC in January, he earned a five-star rating and ranks No. 13 nationally. The Chatsworth High School standout recently became the first high school boys’ player in the Los Angeles area to surpass 3,000 career points and participated in the McDonald’s All American Game in April.

USC head coach Eric Musselman addressed the incident in a statement on X, writing: “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.”

The Arenas family expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, stating, “This act of courage, along with Alijah’s incredible will to survive, has been nothing short of miraculous… We continue to ask for prayers and support as Alijah fights for a full recovery.”