Alijah Arenas will return to USC for the 2026-27 season

After entering the 2026 NBA Draft, Arenas will withdraw and return to USC.

By DILLON ZAMPERIN
Freshman guard Alijah Arenas pictured in a match against Rutgers.
Freshman guard Alijah Arenas has withdrawn from the 2026 NBA Draft and will rejoin the Trojans next season. He is pictured here in a game against Rutgers on Jan. 31. (Ethan Thai / Daily Trojan)

Star freshman guard Alijah Arenas announced he will return to USC for the 2026-27 season, as reported Monday by the Los Angeles Times.

After it was announced in an NBA press release earlier today that Arenas had entered the 2026 NBA Draft as an early entrant — with the option of returning to USC — he officially withdrew and will play his second season with the Trojans.

Despite a shortened 14-game season for Arenas, derailed by injuries, the guard returned in January and posted a productive 14.1 points, 2.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game.


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“We just want to be here to support him, whether it’s going to the NBA and try to get drafted as high as possible or come back to potentially play here at USC,” Head Coach Eric Musselman said in an interview with Jim Rome last Tuesday. “Whatever decision he makes is gonna be a great one for him, because I know he’s super motivated to prove people wrong.”

Arenas will rejoin an already top-ranked Trojan squad, including freshmen recruits like five-star Christian Collins and four-star Darius and Adonis Ratliff. Even with a highly skilled group, Arenas will be a key piece for Musselman’s squad.

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