Top USC basketball recruit Alijah Arenas, who was seriously injured in a Winnetka car crash on Thursday, has emerged from his coma and has “shown significant signs of progress” over the past day, his family said Friday.
Arenas, 18, is a Chatsworth High School basketball star and the son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas. He is considered one of the nation’s top college basketball recruits.
“In a remarkable and hopeful development, Alijah Arenas has come out of his coma and has shown significant signs of progress within the last 24 hours,” according to a statement released by his family to various media outlets. “Alijah opened his eyes and was able to write on a piece of paper that he remembered the smoke and asked, `Did anyone get hurt?’
“Although he remains intubated, this progress marks a critical step forward in his recovery. His mother, Laura Govan, father Gilbert Arenas, siblings and family have been by his side every step of the way, holding onto faith and drawing strength from the prayers and love pouring in from around the world.”
Firefighters and paramedics were dispatched shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday to the 7900 block of Corbin Avenue, where Arena’s Tesla Cybertruck crashed into a tree and fire hydrant, authorities said.
Arenas was already out of the vehicle when fire crews arrived. He was taken to a hospital in serious condition, the LAFD’s Margaret Stewart told City News Service.
NBC4 reported a law enforcement source said speed could have been a factor is the crash. Photos from the celebrity site TMZ showed a geyser of water shooting into the air after the crash and the Tesla Cybertruck with severe front end damage.
USC posted a message online Thursday afternoon saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Alijah and his family following this morning’s accident. Please keep him, his teammates and friends and the entire Arenas family in your prayers.”
Alijah Arenas’ father, Gilbert Arenas, played basketball at Ulysses S. Grant High School in Valley Glen, where his number 25 was retired by the school. Gilbert Arenas played 11 years in the NBA and was a three time All-Star.
Arenas’ family released a statement from an unidentified person who helped pull Arenas from the burning Tesla following the crash.
“I remember banging on the car window, but I couldn’t see anything because the smoke was so thick,” the person said. “That’s when I realized someone was inside. I tried to break the window but it wouldn’t give. Then I saw one of the windows was cracked just enough and we used everything we had to bend it and pull him out. The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out.”