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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Trevor Ariza Signs National
Letter Of Intent With UCLA--(Nov. 14, 2002)

Undeterred by last night's pathetically ineffective exhibition game against BWBA--a team composed of blue-collar, lunch-pail and hard-hat players--who strolled into Pauley Pavilion unfazed by prospect of playing UCLA, and proceeded to pound Steve Lavin's Bruins into preseason oblivion, Westcheter's Trevor Ariza (6'-8" Sr. F) gave Bruin fans at least a little something to be hopeful about next year...After all, it can't possibly get any worse than last night's abysmal performance..... Anyway, as we say, Trevor was undeterred and today, the Bruins received his signed National Letter of Intent, and published the following press release, which we thought we'd pass along to everyone with the other press releases we'll be posting tonight. Here it is:

Ariza Signs NLI with UCLA

Ariza, a 6-8, 200-pounder from Westchester High School, is one of top forwards in nation.

Nov. 14, 2002

Trevor Ariza Video Highlights

Trevor Ariza, a 6-8, 200-pounder from Westchester High School (Los Angeles) and one of the nation's top prep forwards, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play men's basketball at UCLA, Bruin head coach Steve Lavin announced Thursday. Ariza will be an incoming freshman next fall.

Entering his senior campaign, Ariza is one of the most honored players in southern California. His preseason national accolades include - Street & Smith's All-America Top 20 (fourth-team All-America) and first-team All-Metro (Los Angeles), The Sporting News No. 4 power forward in the U. S. and No. 14 senior in the U. S., Athlon's No. 12 power forward in the U. S. and Lindy's No. 33 senior
in the U. S. PacWestHoops rates Ariza as the No. 2 player at his position on the West Coast.

As a junior starter last season, Ariza averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Comets. In 2002, as a consistent double figure scorer and rebounder, Ariza helped lead Westchester to a 32-2 overall record, the CA State Div. I championship, a City Section title and Westchester was ranked fourth in the U. S. in the Student Sports FAB 50 poll.

Ariza is the second area standout to sign with the Bruins in two days, joining Villa Park's 6-9 Sean Phaler who signed Wednesday.

"Trevor Ariza is one of the top players in the U. S.," Lavin said. "He's a tremendous athlete with the versatility to play inside and outside. Westchester is a winning program that has developed some of the top players to come out of Southern California.

"It is important for us to recruit and sign the standout Southern California players and we have done that with Sean and Trevor," Lavin said.