Another Arenas will soon be on college basketball courts.
5-star guard Alijah Arenas, the son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, announced his commitment to USC on Thursday. Alijah called USC coach Eric Musselman during ‘Gil’s Arena,’ Gilbert’s podcast, to deliver the news.
‘Let’s go!’ Musselman screamed on the phone as Alijah sat next to his dad and former NBA guard Nick Young. Alijah then took off his jacket to reveal a No. 0 USC jersey, alluding to Gilbert’s nickname, ‘Agent Zero.’
The 6-foot-6 guard is the No. 7 overall player and No. 1 shooting guard in the 2025 recruiting class, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings. He’s also the No. 2 player in California out of Chatsworth High School.
Alijah also held offers from Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville and Arizona, where Gilbert played two seasons before being drafted in the second round of the 2001 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors.
Alijah, who was named to the McDonald’s All-American Game roster on Monday, is a major boost to Musselman’s first true recruiting class since leaving Arkansas last offseason. The Trojans’ 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 7 nationally after Alijah’s commitment.
Gilbert played 11 NBA seasons and was named to three All-Star games and three All-NBA teams during his career with the Warriors, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged 20.7 points and 5.3 assists per game in his career.