'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Alijah Arenas has proven to be one of the best prospects in basketball. The No. 2 shooting guard in the Class of 2026 is also reportedly reclassifying for the Class of 2025. The Chatsworth, California, native appeared on "The Youngins Sports Podcast" in a video posted by Swish Cultures on YouTube on Tuesday.
The host, Jordan Richard, asked Arenas about the time he was in the gym with 14-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant. Arenas recalled that he did not expect the two-time NBA champ to be so tall.
After getting a frantic call from a friend before scrambling to get to the gym, seeing KD up close was a revelation.
"He was beyond what I thought, "Arenas said (Timestamp: 20:38). "He was so tall. Like, I was just like, 'Who is this guy? This is not KD.'"
Trending
Durant, known as the Slim Reaper, is 6-foot-11. Arenas is 6-6, according to ESPN. (His father, Gilbert Arenas, is 6-4).
Arenas played against KD, 2024 Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid and Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody and scored against each of them. Famous basketball page Overtime posted a video on X, showing Arenas converting buckets over the NBA players:
Indiana Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin trash-talked Alijah Arenas
Indiana Pacers guard and 2022-23 NBA All-Rookie team member Bennedict Mathurin played against Alijah Arenas in an open run session in September. Mathurin did not go easy on the 17-year-old, and while the duo had a tough fight, the Pacers guard came out on top.
In one instance during the game, Arenas tried to defend against Mathurin. Meanwhile, the Montreal native trash-talked the Chatsworth High School player to push him.
"Scary a**. He f**king scared. ... Get the f**k out the way," Mathurin said.
Alijah Arenas ranks at the fourth spot nationally, second in the shooting guard position and third in California in the Class of 2026. If he does not reclassify, he will have another year before he makes a decision on his college.
