By Amanda Scurlock for The LA Sentinel
Originally published June 17, 2026
Junior Dorean Arnold is a multi-sport athlete at Los Angeles High School, competing in football, basketball and track and field.
In basketball, Arnold helped the Romans earn a 14-10 overall record and an 11-0 Metro League record.
Basketball was a sport that his father and brothers played. His father also played basketball for the Romans while his brothers competed for Hamilton, Dorsey and View Park.
“It’s kind of like our family sport, but we’re also just an athletic, athlete family,” Arnold said. “Sports is in our DNA.”
While Arnold plays as a point guard in basketball, he is a wide receiver and cornerback in football. Football and basketball help Arnold with his athleticism and footwork.
What Arnold enjoyed the most about playing football is being able to compete alongside his friends. This past season, football taught Arnold the importance of perseverance.
“Never give up, if we’re down or up big, at the end of the day, this is a team sport,” Arnold said. “There’s people leaving and just to take in the time and to actually want to win for your team and for your friends.”
For Arnold, being a student athlete means understanding the responsibilities of balancing his schoolwork and his obligations to his teams. L. A. High athletic director and boys’ basketball coach Andrew Hunter mentioned how Arnold is a leader on and off the court.
“I had [Arnold] in my World History class last year. He would help with organizing the class, get them into groups,” Hunter said. “He’s really taking on a role of being a coach on the floor.”
Arnold took Advanced Placement English and U.S. History during his junior year.
“I feel like it’s more than just a name,” he said. “It’s important to be able to handle sports all year and be able to get good grades and just have fun.”
In track and field, Arnold runs the 100m and the 200m. He also has experience running relays. Competing in track and field helped Arnold with stretching and speed.
“It helps me with my hips as well, being able to just be flexible and not get cramps,” he said. “It kind of helped with my core.”
Balancing his academics and athletics can be a challenge for Arnold. He mentioned how basketball can be demanding on his body because of daily practice sessions and multiple games throughout a week.
“Handling the school work and making sure my body is right and I’m not tired every day,” Arnold said. “Just to be able to go up, wake up, go to school and then go to practice and then have a game.”