"He's probably working out harder than some NBA guys" - Paul George praises Gilbert Arenas' 17 YO son Alijah for his intense preparation for NBA
Paul George commented on the viral clip featuring Gilbert Arenas’ son, Alijah Arenas, working on his game. In the video, the Chatsworth Charter High School star went up against players bigger and older than him. One of the youngster’s opponents was Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin, who kept talking trash to the junior high school basketball player.
The Philadelphia 76ers star reacted to Arenas’ training with Mathurin:
“What I love most about it, there’s no entitlement that I feel like a lot of young kids have because of social media. They haven't even gone to college yet and they feel like they are that guy.
“I love that Alijah just took it and turned up and played harder. He took the challenge. He didn’t shy away from it. He was playing physical with these dudes. He was trying to lock up one of the best guards [in the NBA]. … [Alijah] is doing NBA workouts. He’s probably working out harder than some NBA guys.”
Per 247Sports, Gilbert Arenas’ son is already the No. 5 prospect in the US and No. 2 among shooting guards in the 2026 class.
Paul George added that by the time Alijah Arenas finished his senior year, he would be the top prospect in the country.
Gilbert Arenas explained to Paul George how he pushes his son, Alijah Arenas, to be resilient
Nine months ago, Gilbert Arenas appeared on “Podcast P with Paul George.” Arenas talked about different topics including the guidance of his son, Alijah Arenas.
The former Golden State Warriors guard had this to say about how he motivates the high school basketball star:
(57:39 mark)
“Your success is nothing. You haven’t even faced demons yet. … You gotta worry about players that’s not even in this country. Your name on that list? That list is nothing! You have to work on the fear that someone’s coming to take what you want.”
Arenas added that that reality has forced his son to wake up early every day, train every day, and study daily to reach his goals.