"I never felt like I was so rushed to do something" - Gilbert Arenas' son Alijah Arenas shares feelings on facing Bennedict Mathurin in NBA open runs

Alijah Arenas, a 6-foot-6 top-ranked high school prospect and son of three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, opened up about his experience playing against Indiana Pacers star Bennedict Mathurin during NBA open runs over the summer. On Monday's episode of "The Youngins Podcast" with host Jordan Richard, Arenas described how the experience challenged him both physically and mentally:

"He showed up one day and I kind of just noticed him like he was warming up, but he was so hyped already like in the morning. I was like oh, he's crazy. … The first two I missed were both on him. He had locked me up like I couldn't do anything. He has like Patrick Beverly type of defense. I came back again and tried it, but it didn't work out." (14:20 - 16:29)

Arenas further said that facing Mathurin forced him to play with a level of focus and intensity he hadn't experienced before.

"As he's dribbling, I don't even think we picked that up, he's talking like, 'Yo, I'm about to go left.' He went left, snatched it. ... It's the first time I was so mad, like, I really locked in. That was new for me. I've never felt like I was so rushed to do something." (17:29 - 17:58)

Arenas also touched on how it felt like during the summer going against the pros:

"It's probably the most exciting summer I ever had. Like really watching how pros like, it was just like I'm looking at these guys, and these aren't even the stars that the world is talking about. Like I have to go through these to even get to the stars." (12:18 - 12:50)

Alijah Arenas, a 17-year-old athlete from Chatsworth, is considered one of the best scorers in high school basketball. Ranked as one of the top shooting guards by many recruiting outlets, his game is already drawing comparisons to NBA-level talent.

Alijah Arenas Reclassifies to 2025 Class

Gilbert Arenas announced his son's reclassification from the 2026 to the 2025 class during his NBA Watch Party stream on Monday:

"We're reclassing right now. I think they just approved it today. This is his senior year now."

As one of the most-sought after athletes in the country, Alijah Arenas' reclassification has him among the top prospects next year. According to 247sports, he holds 17 offers from top college programs including UCLA, Texas, Alabama and Arizona state among others.