Shock, then relief.
The news of Lisa Bluder announcing her retirement as the Iowa women’s basketball coach sent shockwaves through the sport on Monday. The emotions of Iowa commit Aaliyah Guyton of Peoria High mirrored those of many when hearing about her future program's first head coaching change in 24 years.
“My reaction was probably just like everybody else’s,” Guyton said. “I was shocked.”
The all-state guard was reassured by a phone call with Bluder shortly after the announcement: Associate head coach Jan Jensen would take over the Hawkeyes, reaffirming Guyton’s commitment to a program coming off back-to-back national title game appearances.
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'Great relationship' with new Iowa coach Jan Jensen
Jensen was the first coach to see the 2024 Illinois Miss Basketball runner-up play in person when she was still in junior high.
“I have a great relationship with (Jensen),” Guyton said. “… In the end, I did commit to the entire staff, so it did bring some comfort to me. I felt a little bit relieved, knowing that coach Jensen would be stepping up.
“(Bluder retiring) was shocking, but at the end of the day, I’m trying to look at it from a good perspective, a positive perspective and I’m going to try and get as healthy as I can to play for the next head coach.”
Aaliyah’s dad, A.J. Guyton, says he felt some initial uncertainty about what the future would hold with Iowa, but that worry quickly dissipated.
“Obviously, once we heard the news, your mind goes to that process,” he said. “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, as well. There’s no need to transfer or move anywhere else.
“Aaliyah’s in a unique situation. She’s recovering from injury. Wherever she goes, she’s going to need some support in that area. Iowa’s already committed to support her in that area.”
Guyton tore her ACL on Dec. 29 and is 15 weeks into 10 months of physical therapy at Midwest Orthopedic in Peoria. The 5-foot-8 guard averaged 26.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.2 steals for the Lions in 18 games before the injury, still going on to earn consensus all-state status and finish second in voting for Illinois Miss Basketball.
Guyton has been cleared to do form shooting and stationary dribbling drills. Soon, she’ll begin running and jumping.
“Just making sure I still got my touch,” Guyton said, noting she’s still doing upper body workouts. “I don’t really want to get too strong and lose my touch.”
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Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
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