Freshman Alijah Arenas to withdraw from 2026 NBA draft, return to USC
USC freshman guard Alijah Arenas is withdrawing from the 2026 NBA draft to return to the team for his sophomore season. Arenas averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his freshman campaign, which was impacted by a knee injury that required surgery.
Alijah Arenas, a freshman guard for USC, is withdrawing from the 2026 NBA draft and will return to the program for his sophomore season. Arenas averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 34.1% from the field this past season. He missed the first 18 games due to a knee injury surgery in July 2025 and debuted on Jan. 21. Arenas was among 71 players who declared for the draft early but will now withdraw after a tumultuous freshman campaign. He returns to a USC team that has added top recruits, including Christian Collins, Adonis Ratliff, and Darius Ratliff, as well as transfers Eric Reibe and KJ Lewis.
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