Gilbert Arenas Says Son Alijah’s Near-Fatal Was Caused By Cyber Truck Malfunction

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas is speaking publicly for the first time following a serious car accident that left his 18-year-old son, Alijah Arenas, hospitalized and placed in an induced coma. The crash, which occurred in the early hours of April 24 in Los Angeles, involved a Tesla Cybertruck and sent shockwaves through the basketball community.

Alijah, a five-star prospect and USC commit, was driving the electric vehicle when he reportedly struck a tree and a fire hydrant shortly before 5 a.m. According to Gilbert Arenas, the incident was the result of a vehicle malfunction.

Speaking on the All The Smoke podcast, Arenas detailed the harrowing moments that nearly claimed his son’s life. “The car malfunctioned on him,” he explained. “The steering wheel went limp and ran him right into a tree.”

Gilbert also revealed that Alijah was trapped inside the vehicle, unable to break free as the car began to fill with smoke. “He couldn’t break the window. Physically, he said he was trying to kick the window in and couldn’t. If you’re a parent and your teen has this car, you might want to put a hammer in that joint,” Arenas advised.

Thankfully, Alijah has since been discharged from the hospital and is now recovering. The incident has left a deep emotional impact on both father and son. Gilbert recalled the powerful conversation he had with Alijah upon his release: “I gave him that speech. You’re a lucky one to see this. Most people don’t get to see the flowers and how everyone reacts when something happens… You can’t take this shit for granted.”

Alijah, currently ranked the No. 4 overall player and the No. 1 shooting guard in the class of 2026, committed to USC earlier this year. The accident has placed a temporary pause on his rising basketball career—but his survival has brought a renewed perspective.

As the Arenas family focuses on healing, Gilbert’s candid remarks serve as both a warning and a reflection: a reminder of how quickly life can change—and how precious it truly is.