McDonald's All-American Alijah Arenas signs for USC

For everyone who has been monitoring and wishing for the best outcome for Alijah Arenas, those desires have been answered. The guard is now officially a part of the USC basketball team. Trojan and basketball fans alike know what the guard has been forced to overcome.

As shared on X by the USC team account, Arenas is now signed to the program, and coach Eric Musselman welcomed the guard with a quote-sharing of the initial post.

Arenas had delayed his arrival to campus in order to finish up his high school classwork. Now, as an official Trojan student-athlete, he will have his focus on continuing to work himself into shape and stay sharp for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.

Listed as a five-star product throughout his high school recruiting process, Arenas enters the USC program as a high-ceiling player for Trojan fans to look forward to.

For those who have been following the guard and his progression since his earlier car incident this year, this serves as a further sign of how Arenas has continued to persevere and will now look to play his expected large role on this Trojan's team during his freshman season.

In terms of specifics and seeing him work out on the basketball court, nothing of that nature has been released as of yet. It must be said, if fully healthy, it is expected for him to be a one-and-done NBA prospect. 

Potential draft outlook for USC guard

Arenas is that talented, so it would not come as a surprise to anyone to see him declare after only one season of college hoops. Granted, he may, for whatever reason, end up staying longer. That does not change the fact that his skill level is incredibly high and the ceiling of the guard is among others that mock drafts would project to see being picked in the first round. 

The USC freshman truly has a great chance of being a lottery selection in 2026.