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Reign of Troy
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Alijah Arenas makes the expected decision on his basketball future

The USC guard will be back for another season after withdrawing from the NBA Draft
ByNicholas Burmood|
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Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Alijah Arenas (0) shoots the ball against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at the Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Alijah Arenas (0) shoots the ball against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at the Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Alijah Arenas is heading back to USC for his sophomore season. After initially declaring for the NBA Draft, the standout guard chose to withdraw and return for the 2026-2027 campaign to bolster his draft stock following feedback from professional scouts and evaluators.

A primary factor in Arenas’ lower-than-expected draft grade was likely the significant time he missed following an offseason knee injury. Despite being sidelined for 18 games, he managed to find his rhythm within the offense upon his return, averaging 14.1 points per game.

"Extremely excited [to return], I can't wait. When I'm 100 percent healthy, I intend to really make an impact and a change for next season," Arenas said. "Our minds are fixated on winning. This offseason looks crazy. I'm really excited for November. That's what I've been looking forward to since this season ended."

Alijah Arenas is set to return to USC for his sophomore season

The peak of his season came in February, where he strung together three consecutive 20-point performances, including a season-high 29 points against Indiana and a clutch game-winning shot to sink Penn State.

Arenas' announcement was compounded by winning the team's "Tommy Award" for overcoming adversity. A car crash and knee surgery from the offseason threatened to end Arenas' freshman year before it began, but instead he'll have a ton of momentum heading into next season. 

"I feel very blessed overcoming the situation I was in, especially [blessed] for being a Trojan," Arenas said. "I give all thanks to my teammates, all the staff and the coaches and all the fans that pulled up. They kept me reminded of why I do what I do."

A multiple-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week honoree, Arenas remains a cornerstone for a Trojans squad looking to elevate its standing. His decision to return provides a major boost to the roster, positioning USC to be significantly more competitive both within the conference and on the national stage next season.

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