Alijah Arenas Is Fearless in the Face of the Future

The first thing you notice about Alijah Arenas isn't the highlight reels, the scoring bursts or the natural flair that comes with being the son of a former NBA All-Star, it's his fearlessness.

He's a young man who casually tells the story of handling pythons without flinching, skiing some of the toughest slopes and trying almost every sport under the sun. He's jumped from cliffs into deep water, tried exotic foods most people wouldn't touch and even come face-to-face with his greatest fear.

"My biggest fears already happened," Arenas said. "So, what's left to be scared of?"

That mindset has carried him through a whirlwind journey, one that's already seen him skip his senior year of high school, reclassify and land at USC as one of the most intriguing prospects in the country.

For Arenas, basketball wasn't always the plan. In fact, soccer was Alijah's first love. He dreamed of being a striker, living for goals and little else. But by the time he was eight, he had discovered something new, a game that connected him to his father's past and his own future.

"At first, I didn't even know my dad played in the NBA," he admitted. "Then one day I saw his name on another kid's jersey and that's when it clicked."

He played both soccer and basketball through middle school, but by seventh grade, he had made the decision to hang up his cleats for good. That year, he says, was his peak. "I always tell people my prime was seventh grade," he laughed. "I didn't miss. My sleep, my eating, my work habits, everything was perfect. I've been chasing that version of myself ever since."

The Arenas name carries weight in the realm of sports and media. For Alijah, it meant both opportunity and expectation. His dad, Gilbert Arenas, carved out an NBA career defined by explosive scoring and big moments. His mom, Laura Govan, built her own public profile.

But Alijah insists he grew up with a normal foundation. "My siblings and I grew up in the same house, with the same parents, doing everything together," he said of his upbringing. "It was always the four of us, no matter what."

If basketball is where Alijah found his purpose, his family is where he found his grounding. That bond became his first real team. Backyard competitions turned into daily lessons in toughness, creativity and loyalty. His siblings pushed him when he needed to be challenged and caught him when he stumbled. Even now, he talks about them not as brothers and sisters, but as co-pilots in his journey.

"I'd do anything for them," Arenas said, his tone shifting from playful to protective. "We're all just different versions of the same spirit. No matter what we accomplish, we celebrate each another.

Still, his upbringing allowed him unique experiences like meeting Kobe Bryant and attending Michael Jordan's camp. "People assume it's normal because of who my dad is, but it's not," he said. "Meeting someone like Kobe or Michael was still the coolest thing in the world to me as a kid."

By ninth grade, college coaches were calling. His breakout freshman season drew national attention, and by the time his junior year rolled around, USC head coach Eric Musselman had made Alijah a priority.

"He called me so much he figured out my class schedule," Arenas said, smiling. "I swear it was like seven times a day, he didn't care. But that's how much he wanted me."

The connection ran deeper than recruiting as Musselman had once coached Alijah's father in the NBA. That familiarity helped pave the way for Alijah to reclassify and join the Trojans early. "We sat down as a family and looked at the benefits," he said. "It wasn't about pressure. It was about opportunity. Once I saw it clearly, I knew it would be right for me."

Arriving at USC at just 18, Arenas quickly learned that the jump from high school stardom to big Ten basketball isn't small. "College is professional," he said. "Everything counts. The way you eat, the way you sleep and the way you practice. It's a whole different level."

That adjustment became even tougher when an early injury slowed his momentum. Instead of sulking, Arenas carved out a different role. "I can't play right now, but I can still contribute," he said. "I'm watching film differently, seeing the little details and trying to support the guys in practice."

Without a jersey on his back, he's earning respect for the way he stays engaged. "It's teaching me patience and leadership," Arenas said. "When I'm back, I'll be better because of it."

Arenas admits the hardest part of the injury isn't the pain, it's the waiting. "I hate sitting out," he said. "I'd rather be on the floor, sweating with the guys. Watching from the side is the worst."

What's kept him grounded are his teammates, especially the veterans who remind him to stay patient and sharp. He points to voices like Ezra Ausar and Rodney Rice, who've pulled him aside and encouraged him to trust the process.

"They've been through it before," Arenas said. "They remind me that this time sitting out isn't wasted, it's preparation."

Instead of pouting, he's learned to lean into patience and perspective. "It's tough, yeah, but I've been through worse," he said. "I know who I am, and I know where I'm going."

Where he's going, if you ask him, is simple, "to the NBA."

"That's always been the dream," he said. "I want to prove I belong there. I want kids to look at me one day the same way I looked at Kobe or MJ."

For Arenas, the journey has never been about living in his parents' shadows. "I respect everything they accomplished, but I want my own story," he said. "I want people to remember my name for what I did, not just who I come from."

He carries with him the adventurous spirit that's defined his life, fearless. A willingness to try anything, unafraid of setbacks. Whether he's skiing down impossible slopes, grinding through early-morning workouts, or navigating the weight of a famous last name, Alijah Arenas does it without hesitation.

"I've never been scared to go after something," he said. "That's who I am. That's how I play and that's how I'm going to make it."

Alijah Arenas Is Fearless in the Face of the Future

Players Mentioned

Alijah Arenas

Ezra Ausar

Rodney Rice

Trojans footer

University Southern California Trojans