Freshman Alijah Arenas is playing at Chatsworth with father’s blessing

“Jesus Christ.”

That was the reaction blurted by former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas as his 15-year-old freshman son Alijah launched a 25-footer from the top of the key for Chatsworth High against Taft on Monday. The ball swished, three of his son’s 36 points in a 110-75 loss to Taft.

There’s an interesting experiment underway. Gilbert was an All-City player at Grant, made it to Arizona, then the NBA. His son could have gone to any basketball power in town but his dad decided it would be good for him to experience the ups and downs associated with playing for a team that didn’t have stars throughout the lineup, forcing him to learn to be aggressive. So game by game and practice by practice, the 6-foot-4 Alijah is gaining insight playing for a team that’s struggling with a 5-18 record.

“It gets rough, but I still try to find out what I can do,” he said. “I just want to learn.”

The plan is for him to spend at least two years at Chatsworth, then find a situation that will help him explore and expand his game in preparation for taking a shot at a pro career if his talent reaches that point.

Alijah is set to return to AAU ball for the first time in years this summer playing with another talented freshman, Jason Crowe Jr. of Lynwood, for the Compton Magic. Alijah scored 56 points in a game earlier this season. Crowe scored 51. Together they should be quite a duo.

For now, the Chancellors are trying to get better. Taft (13-10) received 31 points from Keyon Kensie Jr. and 26 points from Bishop Brooks. Before the game, former Taft standout Larry Drew Jr. made an appearance in the Taft dressing area.

There wasn’t a lot of defense on display by either team. Something to work on for another day. You can count on Arenas and Arenas to work on it. There is one thing Alijah hasn’t done: beaten his father in a game of one-on-one.

“I’m close,” he said.

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Venice 55, University 32: Tyler Hunt had 19 points and 12 rebounds for Venice.

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Etiwanda 86, Chino Hills 53: Zion Booker finished with 18 points for the Eagles.