5-Star USC MBB Commit Alijah Arenas, Son of Gilbert Arenas, Signs With Adidas
By Darian Kelly
Last Updated on April 11, 2025
Alijah Arenas, the son of three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, is making big moves in the NIL space before he ever steps onto a college court, and he’s doing it with a brand that runs deep in the family. During a conversation with TMZ Sports, the younger Arenas confirmed his NIL deal with Adidas, following in his father’s footsteps and carrying on the three stripes tradition. The details of the newly formed partnership between Alijah and Adidas have not been released.
The elder Arenas signed a five-year, $40 million contract at the height of his career with the Washington Wizards.
The younger Arenas is committed to USC and ranks as the top shooting guard in the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports. Alijah backed up the hype at the McDonald’s All-American Game, showing flashes of the smooth scoring ability that’s made him one of the most talked about guards in the country. While the elder Arenas’ Adidas deal came after years of proving himself in the NBA, Alijah’s partnership comes before he’s even suited up in college—proof of how much the NIL era has changed the game for rising stars.
The younger Areas’ NIL deal with Adidas captures where athlete branding continues to trend. High school players can land significant partnerships before stepping on a college court in today’s NIL era. What makes Alijah’s move even more interesting is that he’s joining a small group of athletes who’ve signed NIL deals with brands that don’t match their school’s sponsor. As Alijah heads to USC—a Nike-sponsored school—his Adidas deal shows just how much control athletes now have over their brands.
