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Top 10 Talent Reveals Former All-American Pitching USC to Him

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lorenzo J. Reyna | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 9:26 PM ET

USC Trojans basketball is attempting to court one of the nation's top small forwards. This top 10 talent revealed there's a former All-American involved in sales pitching USC to him.

Five-star Tajh Ariza is getting courted by Eric Musselman and his coaching staff. Ariza ranks No. 8 overall for the 2026 class nationally by 247Sports.

The star from prep powerhouse St. John Bosco in Bellflower, Ca., has future collegiate visits lined up for the rest of the summer. Including a short pit stop with USC.

That's when he told Eric Bossi of 247Sports Friday which past All-American is involved in courting Ariza.

"Earl Boykins just got hired, and the first day he got hired, the first person he called was me," Ariza shared. "That means a lot to me, and we talk almost every day."

The rapport is building strongly between Ariza and Boykins.

"He will call me and we will talk for like an hour every day. He's also gotten to know me as a person, and it's not just about basketball for him," Ariza said. "It's about me and how I'm doing as a person. Especially with me sitting out and this injury I've been dealing with."

Boykins starred for Eastern Michigan from 1994 to 1998. He ended his CBB career as an AP Honorable Mention All-American. His No. 11 jersey is retired by EMU.

The 49-year-old then played in the NBA as a rare 5-foot-5 standout. He played from 1999 to 2012 before diving into coaching.

Ariza comes with his own ties to the NBA. His father Trevor played 18 seasons in the league and won the 2009 Larry O'Brien Trophy with the Los Angeles Lakers.

USC must fend off multiple power conference suitors for Ariza. He cites North Carolina, Oregon and Texas as schools trying to land him on the recruiting trail.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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