Rumors

Five-star prospect 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 a Los Angeles Fire Department public information officer, officials responded to a call at 4:55 a.m. after a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into a tree/fire hydrant with fire involved. The LAFD did not identify the person involved but said the 18-year-old driver was out of the vehicle and that he was transported to the hospital in serious condition.

ESPN

Shams Charania: Five-star prospect and USC commit Alijah Arenas was involved in a serious car crash early Thursday morning, hospitalized and placed into an induced coma, sources tell ESPN. Arenas, 18, is the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas.

x.com

Five-star shooting guard Alijah Arenas, the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, has committed to play college basketball at USC, he announced Thursday on his father’s “Gil’s Arena” podcast. Alijah, the No. 1-ranked shooting guard in the boys basketball high school class of 2025, per 247 Sports, FaceTimed Trojans head coach Eric Musselman and announced his commitment live on camera.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

He juggled the sport next to indoor volleyball and basketball at La Costa Canyon High School. Budinger won three state titles in indoor volleyball. He was also the No. 4-ranked basketball prospect in the nation and shared McDonald's All American Game MVP honors with a future Hall of Famer -- Kevin Durant. The USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins offered Budinger a chance to play both sports in college. But, he committed to the Arizona Wildcats, deciding to put volleyball on the shelf and see how far basketball could take him.

ESPN

Bronny, when asked if the possibility of playing with the NBA's all-time leading scorer informed the timing of his decision to leave USC, said a father-son pairing was not his motivation to declare. "Rob has told me that there's a great development system here, so I just want to come in and get my work in and get better every day," Bronny said. "I never really had a thought of me going to play with my dad. But that's always there to take part of. But that wasn't the main focus of mine."

ESPN

Arash Markazi: USC head coach Andy Enfield on Bronny James: "Bronny's a typical freshman. He went through a lot this year physically and mentally. He's never wavered from being a great teammate and working extremely hard in practice. You can count on him as an individual. He's on time." pic.twitter.com/4zkZcVxULi

Twitter

Here’s the thing: The clock is running out on USC’s season, and the younger James hasn’t established himself as any kind of draftable player for 2024. Change his last name from James to Jones, and he’d still certainly show up on teams’ 2025 watch lists due to his explosive leaping ability, good head for the game, defensive potential and unflappable demeanor. But nobody would have him in their top 60 for 2024.

The Athletic

“He has no ego,” says USC’s head coach, Andy Enfield. “Sure, he wants to do well for himself, but he’s all about the team. “It’s who he is as a person,” Enfield says. “He’s the son of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. But when he steps on the court, he’s Bronny—and he’s just one of the guys.”

The Ringer

Run It Back: "When I talk to people around the league, [Bronny James] is on the draft boards of multiple teams." @ShamsCharania on LeBron watching Bronny's USC game during his postgame interviews.

Twitter

“I have to catch my son’s game real quick.” LeBron James rushing to watch Bronny and USC after the Lakers’ win over the Mavs ??

Twitter

Jeff Goodman: USC coach Andy Enfield told @TheMessenger freshman guard Bronny James will not play in tomorrow’s opener against Kansas State in Las Vegas. Bronny’s return is TBD for the season after he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during a workout in late-July.

Twitter

Bronny James missed USC’s first preseason practice Monday, but coach Andy Enfield said the freshman is “doing well.” “Bronny’s doing very well,” Enfield said after practice, per ESPN. “But we just can’t comment on anything medically. He’s going to class and doing extremely well in school, and we’re really excited for him.”

The Athletic

Along with USC, James received reported offers from Ohio State and Memphis, and garnered interest from Oregon.

on3.com

College coaches are quickly taking notice and Sunday night Ariza landed his first two scholarship offers courtesy of USC and Washington.

247Sports