Alijah Arenas’ condition following his car accident could be more concerning than many’d think. As a five-star prospect and a Southern California recruit, the young athlete’s future is bright, but his current situation is undeniably serious. On Thursday morning, Alijah was hospitalized and placed into a medically induced coma following a car accident. As per the initial reports from Reuters, the Los Angeles Police Department shared that the 18-year-old was stable. ESPN also reported that preliminary tests showed no broken bones, which is a relief given the circumstances.

However, updates now confirm that Alijah remains in a medically induced coma, a decision often made to aid in the healing process. Medically induced comas might sound alarming, but they are carefully controlled by doctors. This reversible state allows the body to recover while critical medical procedures are performed. Even so, it’s a delicate situation that requires patience and hope. So let’s have a closer look at what possibly is Gilbert Arenas’ 18-year-old son going through.

What’s a medically induced coma? A closer look at Alijah Arenas’ possible medical condition?

Hearing that someone has been placed in a medically induced coma can sound alarming — and understandably so. It’s not just a complex medical term; it’s a serious intervention meant to shield the brain during critical situations. According to a MyaCare article, a medically induced coma is a carefully controlled, temporary state of deep unconsciousness created by sedatives. These medications work by dialing down brain activity, which in turn reduces how much energy the brain needs to stay awake. The idea is simple but powerful: let the brain rest so it can focus its resources on healing.

MyaCare also points out that not all comas are alike. There’s a wide spectrum of responsiveness, and that’s where the Glasgow Coma Scale comes in. This tool helps doctors measure how awake or responsive a patient is by checking if they can open their eyes, speak, move, or respond to touch and sound. It’s often the first step in figuring out what caused the coma — whether it’s due to trauma or another underlying issue.

On that note, Live Science reminds us that despite how often we hear about induced comas in the news, they’re not commonly used. “It’s not something you do lightly,” said Dr. Michael J. Souter, a professor of anesthesiology and neurological surgery at the University of Washington. “You do it for someone who’s really ill when other options are rapidly diminishing.”

That same article also highlights the kinds of medical emergencies where an induced coma might be used — including serious brain injuries, severe infections, or intense seizures. In Alijah Arenas’ case, doctors turned to this step because of smoke inhalation from the car fire, not a head injury—which is a huge relief. Smoke inhalation can be dangerous—it fills your lungs with toxic gases like carbon monoxide, which deprives the brain of oxygen.

By placing Alijah in a medically induced coma, doctors gave his body a controlled environment to stabilize. A breathing tube helped keep his airways clear and ensured he got enough oxygen, while the coma minimized brain activity to protect him from further stress or complications.

Being placed in such a state also suggests that doctors are doing everything they can to protect him. It’s not necessarily a sign of hopelessness, but it does speak to how critical his condition might be.

A quick recap of what led to Alijah Arenas’ accident and the chain of events so far

According to high school hoops insider Tarek Fattal, Alijah was placed into an induced coma after suffering smoke inhalation. It’s the kind of news that shakes you — especially when it involves someone with such a bright future ahead. Shortly after the news broke, Alijah’s mother, Laura Govan, seemed to confirm the situation with a heartfelt message on Instagram. Reaching out to her 1.5 million followers, she asked for prayers and good energy.

What led to this unfortunate turn of events, you ask? As per TMZ Sports, Alijah was rushed to the hospital following a serious crash in his Tesla Cybertruck early Thursday morning. The vehicle was barely recognizable after the wreck, found mangled on the side of a road in a Los Angeles neighborhood, as seen in images circulating online.

TMZ Sports reported that emergency crews arrived on the scene at 4:55 AM after responding to a call about a “trapped patient.” By the time help got there, everyone inside had already made it out — but the front of the car was reportedly in flames, which explains the concern about smoke inhalation.

Now, as we know it, Alijah isn’t just any player. He’s a five-star recruit who committed to USC earlier this year. Over his high school career, Alijah lit up the stat sheet, averaging nearly 31 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Numbers like those are hard to ignore — and now, more than ever, people are hoping the next headlines about him are ones filled with recovery and hope.