When it comes to success in the sports world, Klutch Sports is a name that speaks for itself. From LeBron James to A’ja Wilson, some of the biggest names in the game trust Rich Paul’s agency to handle their careers. Now, another rising star has decided to follow that path—and this one comes from a basketball legacy of his own.

Alijah, who has committed to the USC Trojans, is following a path that his father has carefully mapped out for him. But before any young star can start racking up deals, there’s one big decision to make—who’s going to handle their business? With the rise of NIL deals, picking the right agency isn’t just about negotiations; it’s about financial security.

Agents take a cut of NIL earnings, so trust is key. And for Alijah, that trust lies with none other than Klutch Sports—the same agency that handles LeBron James. But what does Gilbert Arenas think about all this?

He shared his thoughts on The Dan Patrick Show when asked if his kids would take advantage of NIL deals. “There’s NIL and then there’s collective… Most parents are mixing the two and they don’t understand the difference,” he explained. Gilbert broke it down further, making sure to highlight the difference—NIL deals are earned through an athlete’s brand, while collective money comes straight from schools.

“The school money is very different from the NIL. NIL you have to earn through your performance, your social media presence. So, you know, they’re [my kids] understanding that situation,” Arenas added. And as for whether he’s the one negotiating for his kids?

Not at all. “No, no, I’ll talk to agents,” he clarified on The Dan Patrick Show. But he did confirm that his son has his sights set on Klutch Sports: “Right now, you know, my son is thinking about going with Klutch Sports, you know, and, you know, working on the NIL side of it.”

Surprisingly, though, Arenas was heavily against some aspects of NIL until last year.

The time when Gilbert Arenas cautioned his son against NIL’s downside

In December 2024, the basketball world erupted when rumors spread that AJ Dybantsa, the then top-ranked high school prospect, had secured a jaw-dropping $7 million NIL deal. The news reignited a heated debate: Are NIL deals a game-changer for young athletes, or do they come with hidden costs? Everyone had an opinion, and among them was none other than Gilbert Arenas.

Agent Zero didn’t hold back. He believes NIL money, while tempting, can be a roadblock for those chasing the ultimate prize—an NBA career. And he’s not just preaching to the public; he’s giving the same tough love to his own son.

“Like I tell my son,” Arenas said, “This is fool’s gold. You have NBA potential, right? You have the work ethic, the mindset. But if you start looking sideways—grabbing $50,000 here, $25,000 there—you’re losing sight of the real goal.”

Arenas’ message is clear: NIL deals might feel like winning the lottery, but they can also be a distraction. Now, it’s to be seen how successfully his son balances it all out while hopefully navigating his way to the NBA.