Five-star USC men's basketball recruit Alijah Arenas was involved in a serious car accident in Los Angeles on Thursday morning, head coach Eric Musselman confirmed.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Alijah and his family following this morning's accident," Musselman said in a statement. "Please keep him, his teammates and friends, and the entire Arenas family in your players."
The incident occurred at 4:56 a.m. when a Tesla Cybertruck struck a fire hydrant and tree, according to the Los Angeles Times' Ryan Kartje, Eric Sondheimer, and Richard Winton. Los Angeles police did not name Arenas but said an 18-year-old driver was subsequently taken to hospital in stable condition.
Arenas, 18, was placed in a medically induced coma, reports ESPN's Shams Charania, who adds initial tests showed Arenas did not suffer any broken bones.
The vehicle was reportedly removed from the scene by a tow truck and burst into flames at a towing yard.
Arenas committed to play for the Trojans in January amid interest from Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, and Louisville. He was the 12th-ranked recruit and the third-ranked shooting guard in his class, per ESPN.
The 6-foot-5 guard is the son of former NBA veteran Gilbert Arenas.
