Aaliyah Guyton’s Commitment to Iowa Women’s Basketball Strong Despite Coaching Change
The recent announcement of Lisa Bluder’s retirement as the head coach of the Iowa women’s basketball team came as a shock to many, including committed recruit Aaliyah Guyton from Peoria High. The news left her initially uncertain about her future with the program, but a reassuring phone call from associate head coach Jan Jensen quickly reaffirmed her commitment to the Hawkeyes.
Aaliyah Guyton, an all-state guard and 2024 Illinois Miss Basketball runner-up, shared her initial reaction to the news, echoing the surprise felt by many in the basketball community. “My reaction was probably just like everybody else’s,” Guyton said. “I was shocked.” The abrupt change in coaching leadership after 24 years under Bluder brought about concerns and questions about the future direction of the program.
However, a pivotal phone call with Jan Jensen, who has been promoted to take over as head coach, played a crucial role in easing Guyton’s concerns. Jensen, who had been the first coach to scout Guyton when she was in junior high, has maintained a strong relationship with her. “I have a great relationship with (Jensen),” Guyton affirmed. “In the end, I did commit to the entire staff, so it did bring some comfort to me.”
Aaliyah’s father, A.J. Guyton, also expressed initial uncertainty about the coaching change but quickly found reassurance in Jensen’s promotion. “Once we learned probably like 20 minutes later that coach Jensen would be taking over and nothing would change mostly, I think Aaliyah was very comfortable with playing for coach Jensen,” he explained. This continuity and stability in coaching were crucial factors in their decision to stick with Iowa, despite the unexpected retirement of Coach Bluder.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Aaliyah Guyton is currently in the midst of recovering from an ACL tear she suffered on December 29. The injury occurred during her standout senior season, where she averaged 26.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. Despite the setback, Guyton’s talent and dedication earned her consensus all-state honors and made her a finalist for Illinois Miss Basketball.
Her recovery progress has been closely monitored and supported by Iowa’s commitment to her rehabilitation needs. Guyton is now 15 weeks into a 10-month physical therapy program at Midwest Orthopedic in Peoria. “I’ve been cleared to do form shooting and stationary dribbling drills,” she said. “Soon, I’ll begin running and jumping.” This gradual return to basketball activities aims to ensure that Guyton fully regains her strength and skill while maintaining her shooting touch and upper-body strength.
Looking ahead, Aaliyah Guyton remains optimistic and focused on her recovery journey, aiming to be in top form for the upcoming season under Coach Jan Jensen’s leadership. The commitment shown by Iowa to support her both academically and athletically during this challenging period has solidified her decision to remain loyal to the Hawkeyes.
In conclusion, while the unexpected retirement of Lisa Bluder initially caused uncertainty for Aaliyah Guyton and her family, the promotion of Jan Jensen to head coach has reaffirmed their commitment to the Iowa women’s basketball program. With a supportive coaching staff and a dedicated rehabilitation plan, Guyton is looking forward to contributing to the Hawkeyes’ success both on and off the court.
This article was written based on the initial piece published on peoriamagazines.com