How national women's basketball power Iowa landed Peoria's best player
PEORIA ― Iowa remained steadfast in its pursuit of Aaliyah Guyton.
The Hawkeyes’ persistence paid off Monday night when the Peoria High senior girls basketball star gave her verbal commitment to the 2023 NCAA national runner-up. She chose Iowa from a final list that included Illinois, Nebraska, Michigan State and Pittsburgh.
“Just their overall energy,” Guyton said of ultimately why she decided on Iowa. “They were recruiting me for a long time. I would love to play for coach Lisa Bluder. Everything felt right.”
Iowa women's basketball: Peoria recruit makes commitment to NCAA powerhouse
Guyton's commitment gives the Hawkeyes a recruiting class with four players ranked inside the ESPN 2024 HoopGurlz recruiting rankings. Guyton is No. 57 on that list and also the reigning Journal Star girls basketball player of the year.
The family atmosphere of Iowa
Bluder played a major factor in securing the commitment from Guyton, according to her father, former NBA player A.J. Guyton.
“All five schools that (Aaliyah) was involved with were excellent schools,” the former Indiana all-American said. “We got along with the coaching staffs really well. I just think the credibility of Lisa Bluder that ended up winning in the end.”
The Iowa coaching staff and Bluder have made their presence very well-known during the recruiting process. Not only was Bluder, who had offered Guyton in July 2022, at nearly all of Guyton’s summer travel games with the Mac Irvin Fire, but earlier this month, she attended an open gym at Peoria High with three of her assistants.
That gesture went a long way in Guyton’s book.
“It just solidified the family feel and how genuine they were,” she said. “Honestly, I’m very appreciative of them.”
Said A.J.: “When you have a lady like Lisa Bluder offering you an opportunity to play right away. Start, maybe even alongside an all-time great, it’s very, very hard to pass up.”
Caitlin Clark is that "all-time great." The consensus national player of the year has the option of returning for another season in 2024-25. This provided a bit of intrigue for the younger Guyton.
“I would be honored to play with someone like Caitlin Clark,” the 5-foot-7 point guard said. “Caitlin Clark is one of a kind but also whether she comes back or not, I want to play and I want to be able to showcase my talent.”
College choice down, high school season next
And it seems that Guyton has been doing plenty of showing out in fall open gyms.
“In all phases of the game,” Peoria High coach Meechie Edwards said of where Guyton’s game has improved. “As we all know, she can score at any level. Defensively, I think you’re going to see something totally different this year. She has to do a lot more.
“As a scorer, obviously, you know she’s one of the best scores in the state of Illinois.”
Aaliyah Guyton: Meet the Journal Star girls basketball player of the year
During her junior year, Guyton averaged 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in helping guide Peoria High to a Class 3A third-place finish in March. She’s looking forward to an encore for her final prep campaign.
She says that the last six months have gone a long way in improving her strength, footwork, athleticism, defense, on-the-court intensity and mental approach to the game.
“I feel like I’ve grown in a lot aspects,” she said. “I’m very ready for basketball to begin.”
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Why Peoria High four-star recruit Aaliyah Guyton picked Iowa
