A terrifying incident in April changed Gilbert Arenas’ life in an instant. His son, Alijah Arenas—a promising basketball talent—survived a fiery Cybertruck crash in Reseda, California. Trapped inside the burning vehicle for 12 long minutes, Alijah miraculously escaped without a single broken bone. Remarkably, just days later, the USC basketball commit was back home, his spirit intact.
The Arenas family credits good Samaritans for pulling Alijah from the wreckage, calling them nothing short of angels. Medical professionals and the community played a crucial role in the recovery, and the family has been vocal in expressing their gratitude.
On the All The Smoke podcast, Gilbert Arenas recounted a moment that pierced through his typically tough exterior. As soon as Alijah regained consciousness and could write again, the first thing he scribbled down was, “Does my dad know?” For Gilbert, that sentence shattered him. Recalling the moment, he said, “That kind of made me tear up.”
When Gilbert was told that Alijah was asking for him, he rushed to his side. Upon seeing his father, Alijah gave him a look of apology—an expression that only strengthened their bond. Gilbert reassured him like any loving father would: “You good, don’t worry about it… you a lucky one.”
Once the medication wore off and Alijah’s natural personality returned, so did the father-son humor. In classic dad fashion, Gilbert lightened the mood with a bit of dark comedy, joking, “Boy, you almost went extra crispy on me.” It was a moment of laughter that marked a return to normalcy—and a reminder of how tightly-knit their relationship is.
From Tragedy to Triumph
Only weeks after the life-threatening crash, Alijah’s career momentum hasn’t slowed. On May 13, 2025, he officially signed with Klutch Sports Group, the powerhouse agency led by Rich Paul and famously linked to LeBron James. This partnership sets the stage for Alijah to take the college basketball world by storm, and possibly beyond.
The five-star USC recruit is now part of an elite roster that includes NBA stars like Anthony Davis and Draymond Green, and top NFL talents like Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith. For Gilbert, watching his son make these major moves is both rewarding and emotional.
While some have joked that Gilbert’s past admiration for LeBron is now coming full circle, there’s no doubt that Alijah is blazing his own trail. With USC head coach Eric Musselman preparing to welcome him, and Klutch backing his career, Alijah Arenas looks ready to become one of the next big names in basketball.
The Arenas name has long been associated with flair and confidence on the court. Now, a new chapter begins—one that might just eclipse the legacy of the father. College hoops, take notice.