Alijah Arenas #0 of the Southern California Trojans shoots a free throw during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on January 25, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Sam Garcia

By Sam Garcia

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USC guard Alijah Arenas knows that winning is what will help increase his draft stock for the 2027 NBA Draft. Arenas initially registered as an early-entry candidate for the 2026 NBA Draft before ultimately withdrawing to return to USC for another season.

Now entering his sophomore season with the Trojans, Arenas said winning with USC will boost his chances of being a first-round draft pick in 2027.

"Win," Arenas told USC Athletics when asked what it will take for him to make the jump to the NBA in 2027. "I don't have any other words. If we win, we all can make it. That's the biggest thing that I have my eyes set on right now. How do I get to that next level? All the guys in the first round of the draft from last year were on winning teams. Your individual stats can help you, but winning can help you go even farther," Arenas said.

Read More on NCAA

Six of the top-12 draft picks from the 2026 NBA Draft either played for Michigan, Duke, Arizona or Houston, which were the four No. 1 seeds in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Arenas Wants to Redemption After Missing Most of Freshman Season

Arenas planned to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft after spending one season at USC. However, Arenas had to undergo knee surgery that delayed his collegiate debut to January 21.

He played in 14 games, averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

Alijah Arenas #0 of the Southern California Trojans shoots a free throw during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on January 25, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Back in March, Arenas' father and three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas said his son felt like he did not get a chance to show the NCAA what he can do. He explained that returning to college would give him a chance to redeem himself.

"I (Gilbert) said, 'If you want to come back again, why would you?' He (Alijah) said, 'I want to lead college in scoring. I don't think these people know what I could do,'" Arenas said on "Hoopin' N Hollerin".

As one of three returners on the Trojans' squad this season, Arenas will play a big role in helping USC get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023.

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