Oregon, lengthy a haven for five-star expertise, is protecting the pipeline buzzing. 5-star wing Tajh Ariza dedicated to the Geese over rival USC on Friday. The 6-foot-9, 200-pound ahead turns into one of many 5 highest-rated gamers that Oregon has reeled in in the course of the fashionable period.
The Bellflower, Calif. native is thought to be having among the most spectacular bodily instruments and defensive upside in the complete 2026 class. Dana Altman’s frontcourt retool is firmly underway with Ariza becoming a member of fellow four-star large man Kendre Harrison in a 2026 haul that sits simply exterior the top-10 nationally.
“Oregon is a profitable program — Coach Altman has stacked 20+ win seasons yearly he is been there,” Ariza instructed 247Sports’ Eric Bossi. “I see myself because the type of participant who will help push them excessive for a deep NCAA run. I do know being there’ll push me and maintain me accountable as I work towards my NBA dream – not simply to listen to my identify referred to as however to be ready as a person on and off the courtroom.”
The Geese have constructed an NCAA Match crew in 10 of the previous 13 years. With star level guard Jackson Shelstad and elite large man Nate Bittle again, the Geese have the items to make it 11 out of 14 in 2025-26 earlier than Ariza saunters into city.
“Ariza is a budding jumbo wing who has obvious two-way instruments and has continued to develop late into his highschool years,” wrote Adam Finkelstein, 247Sports’ Director of Scouting. “Now standing at 6-foot-9 with a greater than 7-foot wingspan, he has super positional measurement and size. He is additionally a fluid mover who runs the ground fantastically, covers the courtroom, is a high-rising vertical athlete, and even has naturally tender fingers and fast reactions. Ariza must maintain getting stronger and fill out his body, however can already match right into a high-level sport.
“Defensively, these measurables and bodily traits give him obvious upside and potential versatility. Offensively, he could be an explosive transition athlete, has a fluid launch on his jumper out to the three-point line, and reveals some flashes as a cutter, together with his footwork, left hand, and within the mid-post.”
Oregon’s Class of 2026 now ranks twelfth nationally, based on 247Sports.