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Alijah Arenas, the 18-year-old basketball standout and son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, was warmly welcomed home this week following his release from the hospital after being placed into a coma.
The high school senior and future USC Trojans player had been hospitalized after a serious crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck, which left him in a medically induced coma due to smoke inhalation.
Now just one week after the frightening accident, the 18-year-old returned home to a heartfelt surprise orchestrated by his family as he is seen walking into a room decorated with balloons, flowers, and gifts, including a prominently displayed sign that read: "Welcome home, Alijah."
The video, shared by his father on social media, marked the first public sighting of the young athlete since the crash; and he appeared in stable condition, smiling as he reed loved ones.
The crash, which occurred just seven days prior to his release, resulted in a temporary coma but miraculously left Alijah without significant physical injuries. According to family , while he still requires time to fully recover, the prognosis is overwhelmingly positive.
Alijah's return is not only a relief to his family and friends but also to the broader basketball community, as the highly touted recruit prepares for the next chapter of his athletic career at the University of Southern California.
His recovery is ongoing, but the outpouring of suggests he won't face it alone.
Gilbert pokes fun at Alijah Arenas
Though Alijah is still on the mend, the tone at home has shifted toward positivity, with Gilbert injecting a bit of humor into the otherwise serious situation.
Reflecting on one of his son's earlier jokes, Gilbert recalled a conversation in which Alijah told his friends, "If I'm ever in a coma, don't bring flowers. Bust in rapping 'I might swerve, bend that corner, woah' by Gelo like it's the national anthem."
With the accident now behind them, Gilbert referenced the moment with his classic wit by jesting, "Because nothing screams perfect timing like saying 'Swerve on that corner, woah' ... right after you actually did. Into a tree. Into a hospital stay. WELCOME HOME."
Arenas will now wait to resume his promising basketball career, in which he has has shown exceptional skill on the court, drawing attention from college scouts and basketball enthusiasts alike.
Recognized as a top prospect, Alijah was ranked as the No. 1 shooting guard and the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2026 class, but in December 2024, he announced his decision to reclassify into the 2025 class.
Alijah is known for his scoring ability, averaging 31.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game over three years on varsity. He has demonstrated proficiency in various aspects of the game, including shooting, rebounding, and defense.