DREAM COME TRUE! Son of Long-Time NBA Veteran Tajh Ariza Flips Commitment to UNC Basketball Despite Offers from Other Top Programs

 

In a move that’s shaking up the college basketball landscape, Tajh Ariza — the talented son of 15-year NBA veteran Trevor Ariza — has officially flipped his commitment and pledged to play for the University of North Carolina. The four-star guard had previously committed to a different powerhouse program but surprised fans and recruiters alike by announcing his decision to join the Tar Heels.

 

Ariza, a dynamic 6’6” wing known for his elite defensive instincts and smooth offensive game, made the announcement via social media late Friday night. “I grew up dreaming of wearing that Carolina blue,” Ariza wrote. “Now it’s real. Let’s work.”

 

The flip didn’t come easy. Tajh had offers from top-tier programs including UCLA, Kansas, and Oregon, and had been heavily recruited on the West Coast. But a recent official visit to Chapel Hill, paired with UNC’s long-standing tradition of excellence and its recent resurgence under head coach Hubert Davis, ultimately swayed the young phenom.

 

Basketball insiders say Tajh brings a rare combination of athleticism, versatility, and basketball IQ — traits undoubtedly inherited from his father, Trevor Ariza, who won an NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and earned a reputation as one of the league’s premier “3-and-D” players.

 

“Tajh is the real deal,” one scout said. “He’s got his dad’s defensive tenacity and a smoothness to his game that fits perfectly into UNC’s up-tempo system.”

 

For UNC, this is more than just a recruiting win — it’s a statement. Landing Ariza not only boosts the Tar Heels’ already strong class but also signals that Chapel Hill remains one of college basketball’s most magnetic destinations for rising stars.

 

A dream realized for Tajh Ariza — and perhaps the beginning of a legacy in Carolina blue.