Ready to feel old? Mark Pope’s latest scholarship offer should do the trick.
Trevor Ariza, an 18-year pro and former NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, has a five-star son ranked inside the top 10 in the 2026 class. Tajh Ariza, a 6-7 wing out of California listed at No. 7 overall among juniors, picked up an offer from Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats on Wednesday.
“Thankful to receive an offer from University of Kentucky!!” Ariza announced. “Thank you coaches Jhart (Jason Hart) and Mark Pope for believing in my ability!!”
Ariza joins the likes of Brandon McCoy, Tyran Stokes, Caleb Holt, Jason Crowe Jr., Miikka Muurinen and Tay Kinney to receive early offers from Kentucky in the 2026 class.
USC, UCLA, UNLV, Kansas, Washington, Arizona State and Arkansas are among the other programs with offers out to the five-star wing out of Playa Del Rey.
Ariza was recently ranked No. 12 overall in On3’s list of top 25 long-term high school basketball prospects, regardless of class.
“A shift started happening for Tajh Ariza around June’s U17 USA Basketball Training Camp,” On3’s Jamie Shaw wrote. “The son of former NBA forward, and NBA Champion, Trevor Ariza has the same lengthy and projectable frame as his dad. Ariza simplified his game and spent the last few weeks of the Summer playing an efficient and effective brand of basketball.”
Led by West Coast recruiting ace Jason Hart, can the Wildcats bring the NBA legacy prospect home to Lexington? They’re giving it a shot.