Gilbert Arenas’ son not worried despite Shai Gilges-Alexander vs. Jamal Crawford comparison – EssentiallySports

What’s up with Gilbert Arenas’ son? Agent Zero was a scoring force on the court. And his son shows prowess in a similar skill. Breaking a Division IV record, Alijah Arenas dropped 41 points in his first game of the season. But that’s not all. He aims to become a versatile player. While Alijah is still in high school, his skills are already comparable to some of the elite. Yet despite all the comparisons, the young Arenas is unfazed as he works toward his ultimate goal.

Of all the players he’s been compared to, the one he seems closest to is 3-time NBA Sixth Player of the Year, Jamal Crawford. He clarified that this was not his personal opinion, but rather based on the opinion he had received. Others have also told him that his game resembles that of Canadian basketball star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“I’ve been told — especially when I was younger — that I play like Jamal Crawford. I’ve been listening to Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) a little bit. Honestly, to tell you, I really don’t know. For me, if I see something and I like it, I’ll use it. It’s not like I plan to use it, it just happens,” Arenas told Forbes.

He says he watches everyone and tries to take in everything he can. When he plays, this knowledge flows through him. He also mentioned sitting down with his father, a former Golden State Warriors player, to go over specific plays and plays that could be helpful.

He recently had a training session with Kevin Durant. In an Instagram story posted by Alijah’s mother, Laura Govan, the two were seen working out together in a session hosted by Proactive Sports Performance in California.

While Alijah still has plenty of time to make it to the NBA, his game will continue to evolve until then as he looks to stand out from the crowd. For now, Crawford and others remain his inspiration.

Aliyah Arenas stares down Stephen Curry and LeBron James

It’s understandable why Arenas’ game might resemble Crawford’s. The 17-year-old point guard from Chatsworth High School enjoys watching the Chicago Bulls legend play. And it’s not just the Sixth Player of the Year, he’s looking at NBA stars, too Stephen Curry and LeBron James for inspiration.

“It starts at the top. I take pieces from Steph Curry and LeBron. Everything from the way they move their feet to the way they see the floor. I really like Jamal Crawford and that’s the type of player I try to see in myself.” Arenas told One3

Following in his basketball father’s footsteps, Alijah is eager to make significant improvements to his game, with a particular focus on his shooting skills. He has already shown impressive growth in the 2023-24 season, averaging 33.0 points in 35 games.

Still in the growth phase, Alijah is already taller than his father. According to 247 Sports, he is ranked as the No. 4 recruit in the class of 2026. He already boasts offers from Texas, UCLA, Nebraska and Arizona.

It remains to be seen how Arenas will move forward to stand out from the crowd and make a name for himself.