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Former NBA champ Matt Barnes recently took to Instagram to stir the pot of anticipation for the clash between two high school basketball stars, Alijah Arenas and Tajh Ariza.
He shared a three-word reaction for the upcoming high school matchup. In his Instagram story, the "All The Smoke" co-host posted a picture highlighting the coming tussle between Alijah and Tajh, who are the sons of NBA legends Gilbert Arenas and Trevor Ariza, respectively. He put out a four-word reaction:
"This flyer is🔥 🔥"
Matt Barnes tagged both high school basketball stars in the post too. His comments highlight the excitement building up for the matchup.
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The faceoff that is scheduled for November 19, 2024, will see Alijah Arenas-led Chatsworth Charter High School battle against Tajh Ariza-led Westchester Senior High School. There's quite a hype building up for the matchup, and it has even drawn interest from NBA stars like Matt Barnes.
Alijah Arenas vs. Tajh Ariza - Who is better?
Alijah Arenas and Tajh Ariza are both formidable players poised to make it big like their fathers. Alijah Arenas is known for his aggressive play and scoring power.
It was apparent in Chatsworth High's inaugural game of the season on September 15 when he dropped a stunning 44 points, breaking the Division IV record. Besides, he has established himself as a reliable offensive player capable of both shooting from the range and driving to the basket.
Most notably, he unleashed his talents in the high school basketball invite against LA Premier High School, pouring 28 points and leading his team to an impressive 54-52 victory. Likewise, he is No. 5 in the top basketball recruits in the class of 2026, as per 247Sports and No. 4 in the 2026 ESPN 60 recruiting database.
Compared to Alijah Arenas, Tajh Ariza leans more towards a two-way style of play. He excels in defensive play and possesses excellent court vision.
His versatile play makes him valuable beyond scoring, as he can contribute in multiple areas on court. The 6-foot-8 small forward recently put up an outstanding 30-point performance for Playa del Ray (CA) St. Bernard’s.
This exceptional run comes on the heels of a productive summer where he managed an average of 10.3 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Team WhyNot on the Nike EYBL E15 Circuit.
He is No. 3 in the 2026 top basketball recruits ranking of 247Sports, which again speaks highly of his talent. Both Alijah Arenas and Tajh Ariza are basketball powerhouses, and their faceoff will surely be iconic.
