USC freshman Alijah Arenas likely to debut Wednesday vs. Northweatern

Five-star USC freshman Alijah Arenas will likely make his long-awaited debut for the Trojans this week against Northwestern.

Arenas is considered “probable” for Wednesday’s game, a person familiar with his status but not authorized to speak publicly told the Times.

The addition of the five-star freshman, who has yet to play at USC since suffering a knee injury this summer, comes at a critical time for the Trojans. USC has lost three of its last five games since its Big Ten slate began.

Arenas is the highest-rated recruit to join USC during Eric Musselman’s two-year tenure with the Trojans. Before injuring his knee during training, he was involved in a fiery single-car crash in his Tesla Cybertruck in the spring. He was hospitalized and put into an induced coma due to smoke inhalation.

Arenas returned to training last month and was originally expected to make his debut last week. He now joins the Trojans with 13 games remaining in the regular season and a critical stretch ahead.