USC Trojans' Alijah Arenas Suffers Knee Injury: Season Ending?

USC Trojans freshman Alijah Arenas reportedly suffered a torn meniscus in his knee, putting his 2025-2026 season in doubt. This is a brutal blow for the five-star guard and USC, who is trying to get back to the NCAA Tournament after a two-year absence.

Apr 1, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; McDonald's All American West guard Alijah Arenas (16) dribbles the ball during the first half of the game McDonald's All American East at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Pamela Smith-Imagn Images | Pamela Smith-Imagn Images

USC Trojans star freshman Alijah Arenas has reportedly suffered a torn meniscus in his knee according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. Arenas is Coach Eric Musselman’s top incoming class of 2025 recruit. 

Alijah is also the son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas.

Alijah Arenas Suffers Torn Meniscus 

Jan 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman reacts against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Alijah Arenas tore his meniscus, which could put his entire freshman season with the Trojans in jeopardy. 

Haynes added that Arenas is expected to be sidelined for at least 6-8 months.

Sources: Alijah Arenas is expected to be sidelined for at least 6-8 months. Brutal news for the kid and the program. https://t.co/w0ll16gGhN

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 24, 2025

This isn’t the first setback that Arenas has suffered this offseason since committing to the the Trojans back in January. The five-star recruit and No. 7 overall ranked player in the class of 2025 per 247Sports also was involved in a car crash in April. Arenas was put in a coma due to smoke inhalation, but has since been on track to fully recovery and be full go by the season.

Arenas officially signed with USC in June.

Now, he will have to go through a grueling rehab process with his knee.

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Devastating Blow for USC Trojans

Feb 23, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans head coach Eric Musselman during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images

This is not the way USC had envisioned the first 15 plus months of the Eric Musselman era going. USC hired Musselman in April of 2024. USC missed the NCAA Tournament in Musselman’s first season in 2024-2025, going 7-13 in the Big Ten and 17-18 overall. 

USC finished tied for 12th place in the Big Ten regular season. They were then eliminated in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.

USC was invited to the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament in Las Vegas. The Trojans won their first round matchup against Tulane Green Wave before being bounced by the Villanova Wildcats in the quarterfinals. 

No. 7 Ranked Class of 2025 Recruit

Feb 15, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Alijah Arenas is a 6-6, 195 pound guard out of Chatsworth, California. He is a rated as a five-star recruit and is ranked as the No. 1 shooting guard and No. 7 overall player in the class of 2025 per 247Sports. Arenas decided that he would be staying close to home and signed with the USC Trojans.

Arenas was evaluated in October of 2024 by director of scouting Adam Finkelstein.

"Arenas is a smooth scoring guard with terrific positional size and length....Physically, he's still filling out his frame, so while he always doesn't play with a ton of explosiveness or athletic pop, that could change as he continues to grow," Finkelstein said. "He's already exceptionally smooth and able to utilize his length extremely well."

There is a lot of potential to be seen with Arenas as he is still in the midst of adjusting to his body. Finkelstein also adds that he is a "versatile scoring threat."