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Penn State Erie Today
By the People, for the People
USC Freshman Alijah Arenas Talks NBA All-Star Weekend, Injury Rehab
Arenas discusses his breakout season, leadership lessons from teammate Chad Baker-Mazara, and the excitement of playing in the NCAA Tournament.
Published on Feb. 15, 2026
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USC Trojans standout freshman Alijah Arenas spoke with reporters during NBA All-Star Weekend, where he is making appearances with Panini America. Arenas discussed his maturity and humility, his injury rehab process, and the adjustments he's had to make to the college game. He also talked about the impact of teammate Chad Baker-Mazara, the last-second game-winner against Penn State, and his newfound appreciation for the NCAA Tournament.
Why it matters
Arenas is one of the most highly touted freshman in college basketball, and his development has been closely watched by USC fans and NBA scouts alike. Despite missing time due to injury, he has emerged as a key leader for the Trojans and is poised to play a major role in their NCAA Tournament push.
The details
Arenas spoke about the difficulty of his injury rehab, especially the mental aspect, but said he tried to stay humble and focused on the work. He was surprised by the increased physicality and basketball IQ at the college level. Arenas also discussed the last-second game-winner against Penn State, which head coach Muss drew up in the final timeout, and the addition of teammate Kam Woods, who Arenas said has brought "nothing but greatness" to the team.
- Arenas spoke with reporters on Saturday afternoon during NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
- Arenas hit the game-winning shot against Penn State last week with just over a second remaining on the clock.
The players
Alijah Arenas
A standout freshman for the USC Trojans basketball team, Arenas is considered one of the top young players in college basketball.
Chad Baker-Mazara
A veteran leader on the USC team, Baker-Mazara has served as a role model and mentor for the younger Arenas.
Muss
The head coach of the USC Trojans, Muss drew up the last-second play that led to Arenas' game-winning shot against Penn State.
Kam Woods
A new addition to the USC team, Woods has brought energy and leadership according to Arenas.
What they’re saying
“Kam is one of our best players. He's our point guard and he's brought everyone together. He's brought nothing but greatness to the team.”
— Alijah Arenas, USC Freshman (on3.com)
“The funny part is that I wasn't looking forward to it. (But) my teammates showed me how much it meant to them and it has become a dream of mine.”
— Alijah Arenas, USC Freshman (on3.com)
What’s next
Arenas and the Trojans will next face a tough test against the 10th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini, who they have been studying intensely on film.
The takeaway
Despite missing time due to injury, Alijah Arenas has emerged as a leader and key contributor for the USC Trojans. His maturity, humility, and willingness to learn have impressed coaches and teammates, and he is poised to play a major role in the team's NCAA Tournament push.
