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Alijah Arenas Withdraws From 2026 NBA Draft, Returns to USC

The move gives the once‑injured guard a full season to develop on a deeper USC team.

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Mar 11, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Alijah Arenas (0) drives to the basket against the Washington Huskies during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
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Jan 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Alijah Arenas (0) enters the court before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Overview

  • USC announced on social media that the former five‑star guard will be back for the 2026–27 season after he pulled his name from the 2026 NBA Draft.
  • Arenas averaged 14.1 points with 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 14 games as a freshman, highlighted by 29 points against Indiana and 24 against Penn State that earned Big Ten freshman‑of‑the‑week honors.
  • His college debut came in late January after a single‑car Tesla Cybertruck crash in 2025 led to a hospital stay and a later knee surgery that slowed his return.
  • His return strengthens a roster that brings back Rodney Rice and Jacob Cofie and adds transfers KJ Lewis, Eric Reibe and Jalen Cox, plus a touted class led by five‑star forward Christian Collins.
  • He had filed as an early entrant before withdrawing, a step that preserves NCAA eligibility under rules that set a May 27 college deadline and a June 13 NBA deadline.