It’s not every day a young athlete mirrors the stardom of their legendary parent, let alone creates moments that surpass them. But Aliyah Arenas, son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, seems poised to break the mold. Already recognized as a five-star prospect, the class of 2025 talent. recently showed his insane potential during the West Valley League game against Cleveland. What stood out, however, wasn’t just his skill—it was the reaction his poster-worthy shot provoked that had everyone talking.
On Friday night, Chatsworth faced Cleveland in a nail-biter that ended in a 76-74 overtime loss for the first. But despite the defeat, all eyes were on Aaliyah, whose monstrous dunk left the crowd stunned. Spectators included Nick Young, a close friend of Gilbert’s, and Arenas’ wife, Mellie Monaco, who picked up on the action. The jaw-dropping moment quickly became the highlight of the night, even eclipsing the final score of the game.
Once Aaliyah delivered the epic slam, Young’s reaction stole the show. The scene, caught on camera, went viral within hours. Adding to the buzz, Monaco shared Nick’s reaction to her Instagram story with the caption, “A better view. (Nick Young) was terrible. “ And honestly, can you blame him?
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Even with the loss of Chatsworth, Aaliyah proved why she’s a top prospect, putting up a game-high 35 points. Meanwhile, Cleveland secured the win with key contributions from Roman Feeney, who had 16 points and four steals, Louisville commit Kamari King, who had 18 points, and Caden Kelly, who added 21 points.
Unfortunately for Chatsworth, the loss dropped their league record to 2-1 and their overall record to 12-7. On the other hand, Cleveland extended its winning streak to ten games, boasting an impressive record of 15-4. It’s clear that Aaliyah’s star power continues to shine, even in defeat. But did you know that Young himself suffered at the hands of Aaliyah?
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Gilbert Arenas’ son Aaliyah humbled Nick Young
It all started when Alijah Arenas was just 13 years old. While most kids his age played hoops in middle school, Gilbert Arenas had a different plan for his son — throwing him right into the deep end with older players. It may have seemed harsh at first, but Gilbert’s strategy paid off. Even Nick Young, one of Gill’s closest friends, got a front row seat to Aaliyah’s early growth.
By December, Alia was spilling details about Youngins Sports A podcast about his father’s unconventional approach. Playing with Gilbert’s crew—guys like Nick Young, Vern and Quincy—got him to step up his game. “I think I averaged, like, 16, probably like, 3-and-3 in the senior league,” “ Alia shared.
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Even Gilbert couldn’t help but support these stories. During a Government Interview, he laughed as he recounted a game in which Aaliyah and Nick Young dropped 20 points in a senior league game. “I gave Nick the benefit of the doubt … but the scoreboard said they both had 20,” He admitted.
And if that wasn’t enough, Alia’s excitement was just as telling. “As soon as my son finished the game, he called me (and said), ‘I scored 20 on Nick Young.’ Gilbert shared. Now, with monster performances like his recent dip, it’s clear that Gilbert’s tough love has shaped a rising star.