University Southern California Trojans
Alijah Arenas Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week
February 09, 2026 | Men's Basketball
CHICAGO — The Big Ten Conference has announced today that USC Men's Basketball's Alijah Arenas has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
This award comes after his stellar performances against Indiana and Penn State. Arenas averaged 26.5 points per game, the third-best numbers in the Big Ten this week, while contributing an average of 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. He started the week with a career-high 29 points against the Hoosiers, while snagging six rebounds along the way. Then, he contributed his second-straight 20-point game, leading the Trojans with 24 points, including the game-winning shot, against Penn State. He also added on three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals on the way to the victory.
Along with earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, Arenas was also named as Dick Vitale's Diaper Dandy of the Week, which is given by Vitale to the top freshman in the country this week.
Arenas is just the second Trojan to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. Fans can catch Arenas and the rest of the Trojans back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 11, as they take on Ohio State in Columbus.
