Alijah Arenas is fully healthy after a car accident raised concerns among his fans. Gilbert Arenas’ son is set to start his college career with the USC Trojans after he used his father’s podcast to announce his decision last year.
The Trojans, who had Bronny James and Isaiah Collier last season, are preparing for a new campaign following a 17-18 (7-13 in conference) finish in the 2024-25 period.
Analyst Jon Rothstein believes Arenas can play a key role in the Trojans’ success. During Monday’s edition of the CBS Sports “Inside College Basketball” show, Rothstein said Arenas is going to make some noise in Eric Musselman’s second season with the Trojans.
Alijah Arenas will turn some heads
“Alijah Arenas is going to come in, the son of Gilbert Arenas, and play a major role as a freshman,” Rothstein said. “Rodney Rice from Maryland will be on one wing. Chad Baker-Mazzara will be on the other wing. I also think Virginia transfer Jacob Kofi could make a major, major jump as an under-the-radar transfer.”
Alijah Arenas
Alijah Arenas played at Chatsworth High School before committing to USC. He enters this campaign as one of the top prospects in the 2025 class.
Jon Rothstein praises USC’s coach’s roster construction
While Rothstein has the USC Trojans at 10th in his Big Ten power rankings, he already sees Eric Musselman’s effect on the squad, especially when it comes to roster construction.
“Going to go to Eric Musselman and USC,” Rothstein said. “A program that lost Desmond Claude, that lost Wesley Yates, but Eric Musselman, the importer himself, was able to flip USC’s roster. He’s been as good as anybody in college basketball at adapting to immediate eligibility.”
Arenas ended up joining the team after being sought after by Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky and Louisville.
