USC star freshman Alijah Arenas will miss a minimum of the following six to eight months after sustaining a severe knee damage that may 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, in line with an individual conversant in the state of affairs not approved 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 mentioned in a press release. “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 damage 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 high draft prospect, there might be extra to think about surrounding his return to motion.
The five-star freshman was anticipated to step in and play a serious position in his first yr with the Trojans, regardless of being a full yr youthful than most freshmen in the identical place. Arenas graduated a yr early from Chatsworth Excessive as a way to reclassify into the 2025 class and be a part of USC.
“We have no doubt that he will come back even stronger,” Musselman mentioned.