USC Freshman Guard Confirms Return for Second Season

“Massbus” is holding on to one of its standout players.

Ariya Arenas, a freshman guard at the University of Southern California who has shown flashes of impressive skill, will return for his second season after deciding against entering the NBA Draft. A source close to the situation reported this news on Monday.

The initial report came from the Los Angeles Times.

Arenas, who is the son of three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, is a significant asset for USC coach Eric Musselman as he gears up for his third season with the Trojans. It certainly adds to what is being dubbed the Mass Bus.

The Trojans will see Arenas joining transfers Erik Leibe, KJ Lewis, and Jalen Cox, as well as returning players like Rodney Rice, the team’s top scorer, and Jacob Coffey, who had a tough season, playing only six games due to a shoulder injury. Additionally, rising freshman Christian Collins and 7-foot twins Adonis and Darius Ratliff will be welcomed to the lineup.

Last spring, Arenas was involved in a serious accident with a Tesla Cybertruck, but he also faced challenges during summer training, injuring his knee. Standing at 6-foot-6, he made his collegiate debut in late January, quickly showcasing his potential with smooth moves and dynamic scoring.

Arenas started 13 of 14 games, averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Notably, in early February, he hit a career-high of 29 points against Indiana and added 24 points in a match against Penn State, earning Big Ten Conference Rookie of the Week honors.

With the departure of teammate Chad Baker-Mazara, Arenas further proved his prowess by leading the scoring in the first two games.

However, it’s clear that there are areas for improvement. He struggled with turnovers and shot only 21.3 percent from beyond the arc. Furthermore, he spent a significant amount of time on the bench towards the end of the season, sitting out most of USC’s loss to Washington in the Big Ten Tournament.

Despite these ups and downs, Arenas seems ready to tackle another season with the Trojans. The team has high hopes as they aim for their first NCAA Tournament appearance under Coach Musselman.