Sources: USC recruit Arenas in coma after crash

Five-star men's basketball recruit and USC commit Alijah Arenas has been placed in an induced coma after he was involved in a serious car crash in the Los Angeles area early Thursday morning, sources told ESPN.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded shortly before 4:55 a.m. to a single-vehicle collision in the Reseda area of the San Fernando Valley. The LA Fire Department further said the vehicle was a Tesla Cybertruck that crashed into a tree/fire hydrant with fire involved. The LAFD did not identify the person involved but said that the 18-year-old driver was out of the vehicle and that he was transported to the hospital in serious condition.

The Los Angeles Police Department said later Thursday that Arenas was in stable condition.

Sources told ESPN that initial tests showed he did not suffer broken bones.

USC men's basketball coach Eric Musselman said in a statement on X: "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."

Arenas is a son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas. He is the No. 13-ranked recruit in the class of 2025 after reclassifying in December and then committing to the Trojans in January. He attends Chatsworth High School in Los Angeles, and he played for them in the Division II state championships this year, making it all the way to the finals. With that game, he became the first high school boys basketball player in the Los Angeles area to reach 3,000 career points.

He was also one of 48 players selected to play in McDonald's All-American Games in April, which showcases the best high school basketball players in the country.

Alijah's mother, Laura Govan, posted on social media asking for prayers for her son. Gilbert Arenas canceled his online talk show scheduled for Thursday.

ESPN's Paolo Uggetti and The Associated Press contributed to this report.