USC freshman Arenas injures knee, out 6-8 months

USC freshman Alijah Arenas volition miss six to 8 months aft suffering a genu wounded that volition necessitate surgery, the schoolhouse announced connected Wednesday.

Arenas, the lad of erstwhile NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, was a five-star enlistee who graduated precocious schoolhouse a twelvemonth aboriginal to suit up for the Trojans.

"Alijah is simply a tremendous worker, teammate, competitor, and person," USC manager Eric Musselman said. "He is understandably disappointed that helium volition not beryllium capable to instrumentality the tribunal to commencement the season, but his wellness is our No. 1 priority. We person nary uncertainty that helium volition travel backmost adjacent stronger. We look guardant to supporting him during this process."

Arenas had conscionable made his signifier debut earlier this period pursuing an April car mishap that near him hospitalized for astir a week.

The mishap occurred erstwhile Arenas mislaid power of his Tesla Cybertruck and crashed into a tree. He said successful June that the car's keypad and steering instrumentality wouldn't respond. The car went connected fire, but Arenas was capable to interruption the driver's broadside model and get retired of the car with assistance from bystanders.

Arenas was transported to a infirmary and placed successful an induced coma due to the fact that of his inhalation of smoke. He was released from the infirmary little than 1 week aboriginal without immoderate large injuries.

A 6-foot-6 shooting defender from Chatsworth High School (California), Arenas was a McDonald's All-American and the No. 13 enlistee successful the ESPN 100. He scored much than 3,000 points successful conscionable 3 years of precocious schoolhouse basketball, mounting the CIF LA City Section record.

Arenas was expected to commencement connected USC's perimeter alongside transfers Rodney Rice (Maryland) and Chad Baker-Mazara (Auburn).