Tajh Ariza, a five-star forward and son of 18-year NBA veteran Trevor Ariza, has officially committed to the University of Oregon. The 6-foot-9, 200-pound athlete from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California, is currently ranked as the No. 18 player in the 2026 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite. His decision to join the Ducks comes over that of USC, positioning him as one of Oregon’s highest-rated recruits in history, following in the footsteps of notable players like Bol Bol, Kel’el Ware, and N’Faly Dante.
Tajh is expected to make an immediate impact as a defender, although he will need to refine his offensive game. This trajectory closely mirrors his father’s early struggles, as Trevor Ariza was a second-round draft pick by the New York Knicks in 2004, and he developed into a more consistent shooter during his career, eventually achieving a 35.1 percent shooting average from beyond the arc.
Ariza’s commitment holds significant importance in the current landscape of college basketball recruiting, particularly after the recent House v. NCAA settlement, which has left many coaches hesitant to make financial commitments. Currently, Ariza is only the fourth five-star recruit in the Class of 2026 to announce his commitment, with many top players still deciding their future. As the high school season approaches, several top players are expected to finalize their decisions, although some may choose to wait until spring for further clarity regarding NCAA financial guidelines.
With Ariza joining the roster, Oregon’s recruiting efforts under head coach Dana Altman are showing promising momentum, especially as they also secured a commitment from four-star center Kendre Harrison, a dual-sport athlete who will compete in both basketball and football for the Ducks. This brings an optimistic outlook for the future of Oregon basketball, as they aim to build a competitive team in the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics.