Illini Women’s Basketball welcomes home Aaliyah Guyton

NEWS: Illini Women’s basketball landed the commitment and signing of guard Aaliyah Guyton. Guyton will be transferring into the Illini program after spending one year in Iowa City with the Iowa Hawkeyes. She averaged 4.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game during her freshman season with the Hawkeyes. Guyton was a primary target of Shauna Green and her staff during the class of 2024 recruiting cycle; however, he chose the Hawkeyes over the Illini. Now, the Peoria native will be returning home to don the Orange and Blue. With star players Genesis Bryant and Makira Cook now out of eligibility, Aaliyah Guyton is in line for quite a role on an up-and-coming Illini squad.

Guyton, along with five-star Chicago guard Destiney Jackson, make one formidable backcourt. The Illini are looking to build off of an incredible season last year where they made it to the NCAA tournament as an 8th seed and made the round of 32.

Welcome to the FamILLy, Aaliyah!

We can’t wait to get to work! pic.twitter.com/nZ1H8sb7Nw

— Illinois Women’s Basketball (@IlliniWBB) April 12, 2025

Official Statements from Green and Guyton

Aaliyah Guyton said in an official statement: “”I chose Illinois because of the strong sense of community, the incredible growth opportunities, and the chance to be part of something meaningful alongside an amazing team and staff. I’m truly grateful to Coach Green for recruiting me again; it really speaks to the belief she has in me. I’m excited to get started and be a part of the FamILLy!”

Green then added, ” “I am absolutely thrilled to have Aaliyah join our family. We have known Aaliyah and her family for years. We know the type of person, worker, and player that she is. Aaliyah brings Big Ten experience to us and the ability to lead our team at the point guard position. She can score at all three levels, and she is an elite defender, which is critical in our system. I cannot wait to get Aaliyah to campus!”

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