Trevor Ariza facts for kids
![]() Ariza with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022
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Small forward | |
Personal information | |
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Born | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
June 30, 1985
High school | Westchester (Los Angeles, California) |
Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
Career information | |
College | UCLA (2003–2004) |
NBA Draft | 2004 / Round: 2 / Pick: 43rd overall |
Selected by the New York Knicks | |
Pro career | 2004–2022 |
Career history | |
2004–2006 | New York Knicks |
2006–2007 | Orlando Magic |
2007–2009 | Los Angeles Lakers |
2009–2010 | Houston Rockets |
2010–2012 | New Orleans Hornets |
2012–2014 | Washington Wizards |
2014–2018 | Houston Rockets |
2018 | Phoenix Suns |
2018–2019 | Washington Wizards |
2019–2020 | Sacramento Kings |
2020 | Portland Trail Blazers |
2021 | Miami Heat |
2021–2022 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Trevor Anthony Ariza (born June 30, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player. He played for 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Trevor was a small forward. He played college basketball for one year at UCLA. The New York Knicks then picked him in the 2004 NBA draft. Ariza won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009. He also played for many other teams, including the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat.
Contents
- Trevor Ariza's Early Basketball Career
- Trevor Ariza's NBA Journey
- Starting with the New York Knicks (2004–2006)
- Playing for the Orlando Magic (2006–2007)
- Becoming a Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers (2007–2009)
- Joining the Houston Rockets (2009–2010)
- Time with the New Orleans Hornets (2010–2012)
- Playing for the Washington Wizards (2012–2014)
- Return to the Houston Rockets (2014–2018)
- Phoenix Suns and Another Return to Washington (2018–2019)
- Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2020)
- Miami Heat and Final Stint with the Lakers (2021–2022)
- Trevor Ariza's Personal Life
- Images for kids
Trevor Ariza's Early Basketball Career
High School Success
Trevor Ariza went to Westchester High School in Los Angeles. In 2001–02, he helped his team win the California State championship. He played with other future NBA players like Hassan Adams and Bobby Brown. Experts thought he was one of the best young players in the country.
College Days at UCLA
In 2003–04, Ariza played for the UCLA Bruins. He played in 25 games and started 23 of them. He scored about 11.6 points and grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game. He was also great at stealing the ball, leading his team with 1.7 steals per game. After just one year, he decided to enter the NBA Draft.
Trevor Ariza's NBA Journey
Starting with the New York Knicks (2004–2006)
The New York Knicks chose Ariza in the second round of the 2004 NBA draft. He was the 43rd player picked overall. At 19 years old, he became the youngest player to ever play for the Knicks. In his first season, he played in 80 games. He averaged 5.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.
Playing for the Orlando Magic (2006–2007)
In 2006, Ariza was traded to the Orlando Magic. He played 21 games for them that season. In the next season, he played in 57 games and started 7. He improved his game, averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Becoming a Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers (2007–2009)
Ariza joined the Los Angeles Lakers in November 2007. He broke a bone in his foot in January 2008 but came back for the playoffs. The Lakers reached the 2008 NBA Finals but lost to the Boston Celtics.
In the 2008–09 season, Ariza played in all 82 games. He started 20 games and became a key defensive player. He scored a career-high 26 points against the Dallas Mavericks. In the playoffs, he scored 21 points in a game against the Utah Jazz. He also made important steals in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers won that series and went to the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic.
In Game 4 of the Finals, Ariza scored 13 points in the third quarter, helping the Lakers win in overtime. The Lakers won their 15th NBA title in five games. Ariza played a big role, averaging 11.3 points and shooting 50% from three-point range in the playoffs.
Joining the Houston Rockets (2009–2010)
After winning the championship, Ariza signed with the Houston Rockets in 2009. He scored a career-high 33 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. In the last game of the season, he achieved his first career triple-double. This means he had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in one game.
Time with the New Orleans Hornets (2010–2012)
In 2010, Ariza was traded to the New Orleans Hornets. During the 2011 NBA playoffs, he played his best playoff games. He averaged 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. The Hornets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.
Playing for the Washington Wizards (2012–2014)
Ariza was traded to the Washington Wizards in 2012. On February 12, 2014, he made 10 three-pointers in a game, scoring 32 points. On March 1, 2014, he scored a career-high 40 points against the Philadelphia 76ers. In the 2014 playoffs, he scored 30 points in a game against the Chicago Bulls.
Return to the Houston Rockets (2014–2018)
Ariza returned to the Houston Rockets in 2014. He played in all 82 games in the 2014–15 season. He scored a season-high 29 points in 2016. In the 2018 Western Conference Finals, he helped the Rockets tie the series against the Golden State Warriors.
Phoenix Suns and Another Return to Washington (2018–2019)
In 2018, Ariza signed with the Phoenix Suns. In his first game, he had 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Later that year, he was traded back to the Washington Wizards. He almost had his second triple-double in January 2019, with 23 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds.
Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2020)
Ariza joined the Sacramento Kings in 2019. He scored a season-high 18 points in January 2020. Later that month, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he chose not to play in the NBA's restart. He wanted to spend time with his young son.
Miami Heat and Final Stint with the Lakers (2021–2022)
In 2021, Ariza was traded to his hometown team, the Miami Heat. This was the ninth time he had been traded in his career, which is a record in the NBA. He played 30 games for the Heat. On August 6, 2021, Ariza signed with the Los Angeles Lakers again. He had an ankle procedure and missed much of the season. He was waived in April 2022, ending his long NBA career.
Trevor Ariza's Personal Life
Trevor Ariza has a son named Tajh. He also has two other children, Tristan and Taylor, with his wife. Trevor's stepfather, Kenny McClary, also played basketball in college and professionally. Trevor's family comes from the Turks & Caicos Islands and the Dominican Republic. He once thought about playing for the Dominican Republic national basketball team but later joined a training camp for Team USA.