CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — After completing a season with Iowa, Peoria’s own Aaliyah Guyton, an Iowa transfer, was on the hunt for a trustworthy team when she decided to enter the transfer portal.

During her high school years, Guyton had fostered a solid rapport with the staff at Illinois, which turned out to be beneficial for Shauna Green and the Illini. When this former top-60 national recruit entered the portal, those prior connections came into play.

“They consistently follow through on what they promise, and I sincerely value that,” Guyton remarked. “I truly appreciate genuine and honest people.”

While Green didn’t land the talented guard out of high school, she appreciates what Guyton can bring to the Illini following one season in Iowa City.

“We were loaded in that position when she was making her decision, and I get that it all comes down to relationships at the end of the day, and the need,” Green said. “We needed that, and she was in the portal, so it seemed like a natural fit.”

Guyton looks to earn a key role in an intriguing Illini backcourt featuring key returners like Gretchen Dolan and Jasmine Brown-Hagger, paired with newcomers like five-star freshman and Ms. Basketball Destiny Jackson, who Guyton played a season of AAU hoops with.