USC star freshman Alijah Arenas sidelined by serious knee injury
An MRI this week found a slight meniscus tear, as well as a bone bruise, according to a person familiar with the situation not authorized to discuss it publicly, dealing a critical blow to both USC and a player it hoped could become a superstar in short order.
'Alijah is a tremendous worker, teammate, competitor and person,' USC coach Eric Musselman said in a statement. '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 injury comes just two weeks after Arenas was cleared to practice with USC, and three months after he survived a carwreck in his Tesla Cybertruck. Now it's unclear how much he'll play for USC — if at all.
Read more: 'I'm panicking.' USC's Alijah Arenas recounts harrowing escape from Cybertruck crash
At best, Arenas may be cleared to return late in his freshman season. But considering his status as a top draft prospect, there could be more to consider surrounding his return to action.
The five-star freshman was expected to step in and play a major role in his first year with the Trojans, despite being a full year younger than most freshmen in the same position. Arenas graduated a year early from Chatsworth High in order to reclassify into the 2025 class and join USC.
'We have no doubt that he will come back even stronger,' Musselman said.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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