The USC Trojans have been playing in the 2025-2026 NCAA season without one of their star freshman, Alijah Arenas, due to an injury. But after almost six months, the Trojan fans finally have a glimmer of hope, as the five-star recruit could make his long-awaited return.

Back in July, Arenas was expected to be sidelined for 6-8 months after suffering a tear of the meniscus. But with just a month in the ongoing season, ESPN revealed that Arenas can now be expected to return at some point during conference play, during USC’s broadcast.

After everything the freshman has pushed through, a conference-play return would mark a major milestone in a turbulent year. Arenas not only battled the knee surgery that halted his debut season but also overcame the traumatic April car accident that left him

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