Trevor Anthony Ariza (born June 30 1985 in Miami, Florida) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers. After a college career at UCLA, Ariza was a second round draft choice (43rd overall) of the New York Knicks in the 2004 NBA Draft.
Ariza attended Westchester High School in Los Angeles, where as a junior he rooted with teammate and fellow NBA player Hassan Adams led the Comets to California State Champions. Drafted by the Knicks at age 19, after spending just one year at UCLA, Ariza started his career coming off the bench as the youngest rookie in Knicks history.
Ariza earned himself starting honors with the Knicks under Larry Brown, as the team attempted to implement a youth movement until 2005 draft pick David Lee replaced him. On February 21, 2006, Ariza was traded to the Orlando Magic along with Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway in exchange for Steve Francis.
On November 20, 2007, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Brian Cook and Maurice Evans.
Ariza broke his foot in practice on January 20, 2008, and will be out for approximately 8 weeks and should be back on the court in mid March. His return could help the Lakers return to the top of the Western Conference, and maybe the championship.
