It’s not every day that a young athlete mirrors the stardom of their legendary parent, let alone create moments that outshine them. But Alijah 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 showcased his insane potential during a West Valley League game against Cleveland. What stood out, though, wasn’t just his skill—it was the reaction his poster-worthy dunk provoked that’s got everyone talking.

On Friday night, Chatsworth faced Cleveland in a nail-biter that ended in a 76-74 overtime loss for the former. But despite the defeat, all eyes were on Alijah, whose monstrous dunk left the crowd stunned. Among the spectators were Nick Young, a close friend of Gilbert, and Arenas’ wife, Melli Monaco, who caught the action courtside. The jaw-dropping moment quickly became the night’s highlight, even overshadowing the game’s final score.

As soon as Alijah 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 on her Instagram story with the caption, “A better view. (Nick Young) was terrified.” And honestly, can you blame him?

Even with Chatsworth’s loss, Alijah proved why he’s a top prospect, putting up a game-high 35 points. Meanwhile, Cleveland secured the win with key contributions from Roman Finney, who had 16 points and four steals, Kamari King, a Louisville commit with 18 points, and Cayden Kelly, who added 21 points.

Unfortunately for Chatsworth, the defeat dropped their league record to 2-1 and their overall to 12-7. On the other hand, Cleveland extended their winning streak to ten games, boasting an impressive 15-4 record. It’s clear Alijah’s star power continues to shine, even in defeat. But do you know Young himself suffered at the hands of Alijah?

Gilbert Arenas’ son Alijah humbled Nick Young

It all started when Alijah Arenas was just 13 years old. While most kids his age were playing middle school hoops, Gilbert Arenas had a different plan for his son—throwing him straight into the deep end with adult players. It might’ve seemed harsh at first, but Gilbert’s strategy paid off. Even Nick Young, one of Gil’s closest friends, got a front-row seat to Alijah’s early growth.

By December, Alijah was spilling details on The Youngins Sports Podcast about his dad’s unconventional approach. Playing with Gilbert’s crew—guys like Nick Young, Vern, and Quincy—pushed him to step up his game. “I think I averaged, like, 16, probably, like, 3 and 3 in the adult league,” Alijah shared.

Even Gilbert couldn’t help but back up these stories. During a VladTV interview, he laughed while recounting a game where Alijah and Nick Young both dropped 20 points in an adult league matchup. “I gave Nick the benefit of the doubt… but the scoresheet said they both had 20,” he admitted.

And if that wasn’t enough, Alijah’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 dunk, it’s obvious Gilbert’s tough love has shaped a rising star.