"I want him to have his own name": Gilbert Arenas' ex Laura Govan says she wants their son Alijah Arenas to be a star in his own right

Gilbert Arenas' ex Laura Govan recently opened up about her son Alijah Arenas and how she wants him to take his basketball career. The five-star recruit from Chatsworth High School is making waves with his exceptional performances. His father, Gilbert Arenas, closely follows his progress and has a huge role in shaping him into the player he is today.

However, Govan is equally invested in seeing him succeed and holds her son’s talent in high regard. It was apparent on the sets of Carlos King's "Reality with The King" podcast on Tuesday.

Govan spoke openly about her family, her relationship with NBA veteran Gilbert Arenas and her hopes for their children. When discussing her son, Alijah, she said:

“Let's talk about our son, who’s, uh, a mega basketball player, yeah, in his own right. I want him to have his own name.”

Gilbert Arenas and Laura Govan split up in 2014 after a decade-long relationship. They had four children together, sons Alijah and Aloni and daughters Izela and Hamiley. Govan currently has custody of all of them.

Govan was also an ace basketball player in her high school and college days. She played for Oakland High School and later New Mexico State University. Now her son Alijah Arenas is sending shockwaves with his extraordinary basketball skills. Universities are lining up for him, and he has yet to commit.

Alijah Arenas is living up to the expectations of his mother Laura Govan

Alijah Arenas is one of the top basketball recruits of the 2026 class. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Chatsworth is the No. 4 nationally-ranked player, according to 247Sports. He is also No. 2 in the top shooting guard recruits of the 2026 class and is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2027 NBA draft. His mother has called him "a mega basketball player." And it shows in his performances.

Alijah has an exceptional 33.0 points per game average and 49.4% shooting percentage. Stunning everyone, he unleashed a 44-point blitz, breaking the Division IV record in Chatsworth High's inaugural game of the season on Sept. 15.

He has yet to commit, although he received offers from 17 universities, including Alabama, Arizona and California. With his talent and unwavering support from his family, Alijah Arenas is poised to be more than just a standout — he is ready to make his own name.