Gilbert Arenas' Son Improves But 'Still Has A Long Road To Full Recovery'

Gilbert Arenas' son, Alijah Arenas, is gradually recovering after his horrific Tesla Cybertruck accident.

The teenager was left fighting for his life after the crash last Thursday and had to be placed in a medically induced coma afterward.

Alijah came out of the coma on Friday and continues to make great strides in his recovery, though there is still a long way to go before he becomes fully okay.

Gilbert Arenas and his family have more good news to celebrate as his 18-year-old son, Alijah, steps up his recovery following his Cybertruck crash.

On Monday, a representative for the former NBA star's family told TMZ, "Although Alijah has shown significant improvement following the traumatic experience, he still has a long road to full recovery due to severe smoke inhalation."

The rep told the outlet that Alijah "was able to walk on his own and speak with his mother, Laura Govan, and his father, Gilbert Arenas, by his side."

However, Alijah "remains hospitalized under close observation, with additional testing still underway."

The Arenas and Govan families continue to request privacy and "ongoing prayers" amid the difficult period.

News of Gilbert Arenas' son's crash made headlines on Thursday after ESPN's NBA insider, Shams Charania, posted about it on X.

Charania wrote, "Five-star prospect and USC commit Alijah Arenas was involved in a serious car crash early Thursday morning," before adding that he was "placed into an induced coma."

High school basketball insider, Tarek Fattal, shared more details about the crash, revealing that the medically induced coma was because Alijah inhaled too much smoke.

Fattal disclosed, "Arenas was driving a Cyber Truck. It caught on fire, and he inhaled a lot of smoke. According to sources, this was the reason for induced coma (protocol for smoke inhalation)." He added, "Arenas suffered no major bodily injuries."

The Los Angeles Fire Department revealed that Alijah was involved in a solo car crash in Reseda, located in the San Fernando Valley, just before 5 AM on Thursday.

They noted that Alijah's Cybertruck struck a tree and a fire hydrant.

The serious accident was likely the result of excessive speed, according to law enforcement sources who spoke to TMZSports.

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to the crash around 5 AM in the Winnetka neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. The incident occurred on a two-lane residential street with a speed limit of 40 MPH.

At the time of the crash, Alijah was driving alone in the Tesla Cybertruck, which was registered in his father's name.

Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that speeding is believed to have contributed to the crash. Alijah reportedly lost control of the Cybertruck, collided with a fire hydrant, and then slammed into a large tree.

Despite the early hour, several nearby residents heard the impact and rushed outside to help.

Witnesses found Alijah trapped inside the burning vehicle and quickly pulled him out. He was later transported to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, bumps, and bruises sustained in the crash.

The Arenas family's representative shared a statement from the individual who helped pull Alijah from the Cybertruck.

The statement went thus, "I remember hearing banging on the car window, but I couldn’t see anything because the smoke was so thick."

It continued, "That's when I realized someone was inside. I tried to break the window, but it wouldn't give."

The Good Samaritan concluded, "Then I saw one of the windows was cracked just enough and we used everything we had to bend it and pull him out. The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out."

Last Friday, Gilbert Arenas' family rep told TMZ that Alijah had come out of his coma and was gradually recovering.

According to the representative, Alijah's development had been "remarkable and hopeful."

However, they also shared that the teenage basketball sensation was still intubated.

Alijah was said to have opened his eyes and immediately asked if anyone was hurt as a result of the crash.

The rep revealed that Alijah was surrounded by his parents, siblings, and other family members.