USC star freshman Alijah Arenas will miss at the very least the subsequent six to eight months after sustaining a severe knee harm that can require surgical procedure, leaving his future with the Trojans in query.
An MRI this week discovered a slight meniscus tear, in addition to a bone bruise, based on an individual conversant in the scenario not licensed to debate it publicly, dealing a essential blow to each USC and a participant it hoped may turn into a celebrity briefly order.
“Alijah is a tremendous worker, teammate, competitor and person,” USC coach Eric Musselman stated in an announcement. “He is understandably disappointed that he will not be able to take the court to start the season, but his health is our No. 1 priority.”
The harm comes simply two weeks after Arenas was cleared to apply with USC, and three months after he survived a carwreck in his Tesla Cybertruck. Now it’s unclear how a lot he’ll play for USC — if in any respect.
At finest, Arenas could also be cleared to return late in his freshman season. However contemplating his standing as a prime draft prospect, there may very well be extra to think about surrounding his return to motion.
The five-star freshman was anticipated to step in and play a significant position in his first 12 months with the Trojans, regardless of being a full 12 months youthful than most freshmen in the identical place. Arenas graduated a 12 months early from Chatsworth Excessive so as to reclassify into the 2025 class and be a part of USC.
“We have no doubt that he will come back even stronger,” Musselman stated.
