Player: Tajh Ariza
Class: 2026
Height: 6’8
School: St. Bernard (Playa Del Rey, CA)
Offers: UNLV, Cal State Northridge, Arizona State, Kansas, UCLA, USC, Washington
Phenom Hoops has been heading out to California to watch more of the action the past few weeks at the 2024 Pangos Best of SoCal League, bringing some intriguing talent to the court. For sure, a player that is intriguing and certainly has the eyes of many is 2026 6’8 Tajh Ariza, one of the top prospects in the country.
It didn’t take long when watching his game, as Ariza has plenty of factors in his game that make him such a high-level player. His blend of skill, offensive capabilities, size, and overall skill set sets him apart from so many at a young age, and Ariza backs it up each time he steps on the court. At 6’8, he has a high-level offensive game in how he operates, being a true three-level wing prospect who is comfortable in playing off the ball and knocking down shots from behind the arc or mid-range game, as well as his ability to be a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. He is exceptional and so difficult to slow down with his length, his athleticism, and his ability to get where he wants when he wants.
You can see that Ariza understands the game, and there shouldn’t be any surprise in that with him being the son of Trevor Ariza, who played in the NBA from 2004-2022. Ariza has an advanced feel for the game but is also just starting what he could be, which is why he continues to prove that he is a big-time talent in the class of 2026, and is worth all 5 stars he has earned today.
