Alijah Arenas Shines in USC Preseason Opener

Friday night at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro gave USC fans a first glimpse of what the new season might hold, and it came courtesy of a familiar name – Alijah Arenas, the son of former NBA All‑Star Gilbert Arenas. The 19‑year‑old sophomore guard slipped onto the hardwood and promptly put up 17 points in an 88‑70 exhibition loss to North Carolina.

It wasn’t a win, but the moments were encouraging. Arenas shot 7‑for‑15 from the floor, knocked down two of his five three‑point attempts and dished out four assists in 35 minutes. For a player whose freshman campaign was derailed by a car crash and a lingering knee issue, simply staying on the court for that long feels like a victory in itself.

When he arrived on campus as a five‑star recruit, expectations rode high on both his talent and his famous surname. The reality, however, was a rocky start. A serious auto accident in April 2025 left him with a bruised knee that delayed his debut until January 2026. By the time he finally logged minutes, the season was already well under way, and his opportunities were limited.

Still, when he did play, he showed flashes of the guard many scouts once pegged as one of the nation’s most promising. Over 14 games – 13 starts – he averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. The tail end of that freshman year was especially bright: three straight games of 20+ points, highlighted by a 29‑point explosion against Indiana and a clutch buzzer‑beater to beat Penn State.

Friday’s exhibition gave the Trojans a chance to see how those skills translate against a top‑tier opponent. USC started strong, snapping a 10‑3 lead early, only to watch North Carolina wrestle the advantage back. The Tar Heels surged ahead midway through the first half, but Arenas kept the Trojans within striking distance, stringing together six straight points at one stretch.

By halftime, USC had nudged a 39‑37 edge – a brief, hopeful glimpse of a competitive game. The second half, however, belonged to the Tar Heels. A sudden 12‑0 run left USC silent for nearly six minutes, and the Trojans’ shooting plummeted to a meager 26.5 percent after the break. The final 18‑point margin reflected that lapse more than any lack of effort.

Even in defeat, Alijah was one of three Trojans to double‑digit the scoreboard. Senior guard Rodney Rice led the way with 22 points, while Darius Ratliff added 13. For North Carolina, Jarin Stevenson posted a double‑double with 25 points and 10 rebounds, giving first‑year head coach Michael Malone a reassuring start.

Coach Eric Musselman now has a clearer picture of his roster. Aside from the obvious scoring punch of Rice, Arenas offers a versatile offensive option – a combo of creation, penetration and playmaking that could be crucial as USC prepares for a tough Big Ten slate.

The real upside for Alijah this offseason is the chance to build chemistry without the nagging rehab schedule that dominated his freshman year. He can now focus on refining his shot, sharpening his decision‑making and, perhaps most importantly, finding a rhythm with his teammates.

One exhibition game doesn’t dictate a season, and USC still has plenty of work – especially on rebounding, where they were out‑muscled 47‑33, and on offensive consistency. Yet for a young guard who survived a car crash, a knee injury and a truncated debut, Friday felt like a step in the right direction.

If his preseason performance is any indicator, Alijah Arenas may soon become a cornerstone for the Trojans, and USC supporters have plenty to be optimistic about as the regular season approaches.