Peach Jam will proceed without one of the top prospects from the Class of 2026.
Tajh Ariza, a five-star recruit and the No. 7 overall player in the class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, will miss the rest of the summer circuit—including Peach Jam—due to injury.
Though unable to finish his EYBL and AAU run, Ariza is channeling his energy into two key areas: recovery and recruitment.
The rising senior is committed to his rehab in hopes of returning to full strength soon. In the meantime, he’s also turning his attention toward his college future, lining up four official visits—one of which will take him to Chapel Hill.
Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program are set to host Bellflower, California native Tajh Ariza on September 12. North Carolina will be the second stop on his official visit tour, following a trip to Oregon scheduled for the week prior.
In addition to Oregon and UNC, Ariza also has visits lined up with USC on September 20 and Texas, with a date still to be finalized.
North Carolina offered Ariza on June 19, and less than a month later, he’s scheduled to visit Chapel Hill—a strong indication that interest is mutual between the five-star forward and the Tar Heels.
Another factor working in UNC’s favor is Davis’ recent time with Ariza at the USA Basketball minicamp. That hands-on coaching experience helped foster a connection between the two, one that could play a significant role as Ariza weighs his college options.
While some programs might enter a recruitment too late to make a serious impact, North Carolina has quickly gained traction. Their growing involvement has made them a team to watch.
Though USC remains a strong contender—especially given Ariza’s ties to the West Coast—don’t count out the Tar Heels. With momentum building, Hubert Davis and UNC could emerge as a legitimate dark horse in this high-profile recruitment.
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