Five-Star Prospect Tajh Ariza Visited by Kentucky, Alabama, Michigan, USC, and more

Tajh Ariza is one of the top prospects in the 2026 class. The 6-foot-8 small forward out of Westchester Senior (Los Angeles, CA) is the No. 8 overall player in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

This season, the following college programs have visited the five-star junior, he told On3: Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, USC, and Washington.

Of those programs, USC’s Eric Musselman is the only head coach to make the trip to see him. The rest have been assistant coaches.

The only visit Ariza has been on to this point has been to USC.

Tajh is the son of former 18-year NBA veteran Trevor Ariza. Trevor was drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks out of UCLA in 2004. He played for 10 different teams in his career, including the Lakers, Magic, Rockets, Suns, among others.

Ariza talks programs involved

In a previous interview with On3, Tajh Ariza discussed several of the schools recruiting him.

USC: ““I went there for a football game. They showed a lot of love. Like when I walked onto the field, all the fans were showing me love. So, you know, it was cool over there. The atmosphere was crazy. They played Wisconsin, I think, that game, and there was hella people there. The coaches tell me how they like the versatility of my game. They think I can come in and be the guy. Just make plays for others and make everyone better.”

OREGON: “You know, we’re just talking about their program a lot. I like how they run their offense, they run a really pro-style offense and they show me how I can fit in.”

KENTUCKY: “They are talking to me how how much I fit with their program. And they’re wanting me to get on campus soon. Their system is so different from what it was before. Coach (Mark) Pope brought it over. A lot of people were doubting him, you know, but he brought in a bunch of transfers and he’s just proved himself as a coach.”

KENTUCKY: “They are talking to me how how much I fit with their program. And they’re wanting me to get on campus soon. Their system is so different from what it was before. Coach (Mark) Pope brought it over. A lot of people were doubting him, you know, but he brought in a bunch of transfers and he’s just proved himself as a coach.”

KANSAS: “I mean, Bill Self is one of the better coaches out there. He’s always had a winning program and I love to win. That’s another thing I’m looking for in a school, winning.”

What he’s looking for in a school

In that same previous interview with On3, Ariza listed what he wants in a college program.

“Really, I’m looking for a welcoming environment. I’m also looking for coaches that are going to hold me accountable and develop me, because I’m not trying to stay in college for more than a year. I’m trying to get in and get out. So I want to play for someone who has the same vision as me. I want to win and I want to develop, so I want to play for a coach that is going to push me.

“I’m comfortable playing in a pro-style-type offense. I like to space the floor, run some sets, get out and run, and be around people who just know how to play ball.”