Gilbert Arenas' son Alijah in serious condition after car crash: His mother posts devastating message

CELEBS STRUGGLING WITH HEALTH ISSUES

It was meant to be a typical early morning in Los Angeles, but for rising basketball prodigy Alijah Arenas, it turned into a life-altering event.

Discover our latest podcast

The 18-year-old, son of NBA legend Gilbert Arenasand a five-star USC recruit, is currently in an induced coma after a shocking car accident that has shaken the sports world.

Alijah Arenas' car crash

On Thursday, April 24th 2025, Alijah Arenas was involved in a serious car accident when the Tesla Cybertruck he was driving lost control and crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree in Los Angeles. The accident occurred at approximately 4:56 a.m. Emergency services responded to reports of a 'trapped patient' but found everyone had managed to exit the vehicle by the time they arrived, as reported by TMZ.

The vehicle was reportedly ablaze at the front, and the scene revealed a completely mangled car. According to USA Today, Alijah was transported to hospital in stable but serious condition and placed into an induced coma. Sources including TMZ revealed that the coma was medically initiated due to smoke inhalation, not trauma-related injuries, and fortunately, he sustained no broken bones.

An induced coma is a medically controlled state of unconsciousness brought on by sedatives to protect the brain and body from swelling or further damage. There’s currently no public confirmation on how long Alijah will remain in this state. USC's head coach Eric Musselman expressed his concern online, stating:

Our thoughts and prayers are with Alijah and his family following this morning’s accident.

Adding to the emotional weight, Alijah’s mother, Laura Govan, posted a raw and heartfelt message on Instagram to her 1.5 million followers:

I NEED ALL YOURE F***EN PRAYERS.

Who is Alijah Arenas? Star player and son of NBA royalty

Alijah Arenas isn’t just a famous surname. The 18-year-old athlete has carved his own legacy as a five-star basketball recruit committed to USC. According to Sports Illustrated, he reclassified into the class of 2025 and amassed over 3,000 points in just three seasons at Chatsworth High School, becoming the first LA City Section player to reach that milestone and only the 14th in California history.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ballislife (@ballislife)

He was named All-CIF SoCal Offensive Player of the Year and led his team to two back-to-back CIF State final appearances, a feat not seen since 2010.

Alijah is the second child of Gilbert Arenas and Laura Govan. He shares his basketball roots with his siblings. His sister Izela plays for the University of Louisville and has received national accolades including the title of 'Queen of the Court'. Younger siblings Hamiley, Aloni and Gia are also already making waves in sports and cheerleading. As reported by People, Aloni has been spotlighted by ESPN’s SportsCenter Next for his talent, while Gia recently won a national cheerleading championship.

Despite being so talented as such a young age, Alijah has had dreams far beyond the court.

More than just a game: Alijah’s vision for the future

In an interview published by Sports Illustrated earlier this month, Alijah gave a glimpse into his mindset off the court. He said:

I realize there’s more to life than just basketball and what you can really get out of basketball.

My goal is to open a lot of doors (in life) through basketball.

Alijah emphasised his desire to bring joy to those around him, sharing:

I'm kind of a guy that just likes to laugh and have fun, that's my thing. No matter where I am … I just want to make everybody smile.

He also took the time to acknowledge his family, calling his mother 'very special' and 'very supportive' and saying his sisters are just as 'outgoing' as he is. He told SI: