USC's Alijah Arenas Says Winning Will Influence His NBA Draft Stock
USC sophomore guard Alijah Arenas knows that winning is what will help increase his draft stock for the 2027 NBA Draft.
USC guard Alijah Arenas believes that winning will be instrumental in elevating his draft stock for the 2027 NBA Draft. Initially registering as an early-entry candidate for the 2026 NBA Draft, Arenas decided to return to USC for another season after undergoing knee surgery that delayed his collegiate debut. Now entering his sophomore season, Arenas stated that winning with USC will improve his chances of being a first-round draft pick in 2027.
He emphasized that winning is the most crucial factor for him, as the first-round picks from last year were all part of winning teams. Arenas recognized that while individual statistics are important, winning can propel him even further. Six of the top-12 draft picks in 2026, including the first four seeds in the NCAA Tournament, came from Michigan, Duke, Arizona, and Houston.
After his recovery, Arenas planned to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft, but knee surgery further pushed his debut to January 21, where he played in 14 games, averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. In March, Arenas' father, three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, expressed his desire for his son to prove himself once again by returning to college and potentially leading the scoring.
As one of the three returning players, Arenas will play a significant role in helping USC make a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023.
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