USC athlete Alijah Arenas expected to resume practice sessions on Thursday
USC freshman Alijah Arenas is making a remarkable comeback after a car accident in late April. The highly anticipated recruit of coach Eric Musselman's tenure at USC was involved in a fiery crash that left him trapped inside, but he was miraculously discharged from the hospital without any lasting injuries.
**The Road to Recovery**
The accident occurred on April 30, leading to a medically induced coma for Arenas. After six days in the hospital, he was released with only smoke inhalation as a lasting concern[1][3]. Over the following months, Arenas focused on his health and completed his high school coursework early to graduate a year early[2].
**Integration into the Team**
Given that Arenas missed about a month of summer practice due to his recovery and academic commitments, his integration into the team will likely be a gradual process. However, his presence at team activities and his eagerness to return to practice suggest a strong motivation to integrate with his teammates. His coaches and teammates have been a source of support during his recovery[3][4].
**A Difference-Maker**
Coach Musselman has expressed high expectations for Arenas, stating that he expects him to be a difference-maker as a freshman. In fact, according to the coach, Arenas may know the USC offense better than anyone on the team[5]. Since arriving on campus, Arenas has been observed following the coach around during practice[6].
**A Rebuilt USC Team**
USC's team has been rebuilt through the transfer portal, and Arenas's addition will bolster the squad for the second half of summer practice. Despite missing the initial part of practice, coach Musselman is not concerned about Arenas fitting in with the team[7].
Sources: [1] ESPN [2] LA Times [3] CBS Sports [4] The Players' Tribune [5] The Los Angeles Daily News [6] Sports Illustrated [7] The Athletic
Alijah Arenas, the USC freshman, is expected to contribute significantly to the sports scene in Los Angeles, particularly in basketball, given his deep understanding of the USC offense. Despite the challenges posed by his accident in California and the subsequent recovery, Arenas's presence in team activities shows a determined resolve to integrate with his teammates, as they have been a source of support during his rehabilitation process. As USC's team undergoes a rebuild, Arenas's addition, though delayed by the car accident, is a promising boost for the second half of summer practice.
