Class of 2026 guard Alijah Arenas adds Arizona offer, could be the next ‘Agent Zero’

By MATT WHITFIELD

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — One of several sons of famous fathers on hand at the Team USA Junior National Team Camp last weekend was Alijah Arenas, a 6-foot-4 freshman shooting guard and son of former Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas.

“It’s fun [being Gilbert’s son],” said Alijah, who averaged 30.3 points last season at Chatsworth (CA) Senior High and also runs with the Compton Magic.

Alijah’s eventual goal is to be better than his father.

“I think that our pace [of play] is similar,” he said. “I heard that we’re similar [playing-wise], so I just want to get better and just be better than he was.”

Gilbert Arenas played 12 seasons in the NBA averaging 20.7 points and 5.3 assists.

Cam and Cayden Boozer, the sons of former Duke and NBA standout Carlos Boozer, also were in camp and made the final 12-man roster for the U16 team.

Alijah Arenas, son of Gilbert Arenas, was a @MaxPreps Freshman All-American and a finalist for the USA Basketball u16 team this year.

Averaged 30.3 points this season.@ChatsworthBBall @Compton_Magic pic.twitter.com/NHv5csvjCw https://t.co/OFdo5hdIFb

— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) June 1, 2023

Right now said Alijah wears No. 0 like his dad, and he may continue that at the next level.

“I think so. If we do find another number then it’d be cool,” he said.

Alijah did not have a dream school growing up, but did pick up an offer from his father’s alma mater Arizona this week. He’s been to a couple Arizona games already.

“I’ve gone to the games [at Arizona],” he said. “I’ve communicated a little bit with the players. And just see how they work things,”

Not even a sophomore yet Alijah Arenas recruitment has hardly taken shape but he did mentioned a couple other schools involved.

“UCLA, Texas, there’s a couple more but I’m not sure off the top my head,” he said.

For now though, he is just a baby0faced 16-year-old loving life.

“Everything right now is just a dream come true,” he said.

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