Alijah Arenas, son of basketball legend Gilbert Arenas, placed in coma after crashing Tesla Cybertruck

The son of a basketball legend has been rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma after crashing a Tesla Cybertruck on Thursday morning in Los Angeles.

According to a law enforcement source, Alijah Arenas, the son of three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, hit a tree and a fire hydrant while driving the Cybertruck shortly before 5am local time.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the driver was taken to the hospital in a serious condition.

US journalist Tarek Fattal said the Cybertruck caught on fire and Alijah “inhaled a lot of smoke”.

“According to sources, this was the reason for the induced coma (protocol for smoke inhalation). Arenas suffered no major bodily injuries,” Fattal said.

No other information was released regarding his current condition.

Police are looking at whether speed was a factor, and it did not immediately appear that alcohol was involved.

A photo of the crash site showed a totalled silver Cybertruck wrapped around a tree, with the windshield crumpled and driver side windows blown out.

The car is registered to Gilbert Arenas through September of this year, per the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Alijah, 18, was also a gun basketballer and a top college basketball.

He was poised to be one of basketball’s rising stars next season, with offers from Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky and Louisville, according to ESPN.

He had committed to the University of Southern California earlier this year.

After the news went public, Arenas’ mother, Laura Govan, said on social media, “I need all your prayers”.

Gilbert Arenas show was also cancelled as producers asked that their community kept Alijah and the entire family in their thoughts.

“Our hearts are with our friend Gilbert Arenas in this difficult moment.”

- With NBC NEWS