Godwin Heights senior is one of the more underrated players in West Michigan

Godwin Heights’ Isaiah Guyton drives to the basket against West Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. He averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds last season. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

WYOMING, Mich. - “Who is that tall kid!?”

An opposing coach was in awe after Isaiah Guyton threw down a vicious dunk in traffic during a team camp at Wyoming High on June 27.

“That’s fun,” Guyton said of his big dunk. “It feels normal though. I’ve been doing that for a minute now.”

The Wyoming Godwin Heights senior is one of the more talented basketball players in West Michigan. But he’s been playing in relative anonymity. 

Guyton, who stands 6-foot-6, 195 pounds, averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds last season and was voted as the O-K Silver Conference Player of the Year in a West Michigan Ballers poll in March. He had a huge game in the 2K Showcase at Aquinas College against Benton Harbor on Jan. 25 when he scored 24 points and had 13 rebounds and four assists as Godwin Heights won 72-60.

Guyton’s first-year coach Braima Hai, loves what Guyton brings to the table. 

“He has a high motor,” Hai said. “He knows how to use his length well. He finds his spots to get shots.”

But Hai pulls no punches when he says that Guyton has a few things to work on still.

“His biggest improvement is he needs to keep his motor going at all times,” Hai said. “It’s a conversation I’ve had with him. He’s growing. It’s a matter of being a winner and setting yourself apart. He’ll get there.”

Godwin Heights’ Isaiah Guyton shoots a 3-pointer against West Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Guyton and Godwin Heights played well at the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) team camp at Grand Valley State in late June. They went 2-2.

But Guyton still has zero college offers. 

"It’s a little frustrating,” Guyton said. “We went 2-2. I played pretty good. I had a few (coaches) talked to me but not really in depth.”

Hai, who played basketball at Davenport University after graduating from Godwin Heights, has worked with Guyton for five years at different levels.

“The transfer portal is different,” he said. “Less of a chance for high school kids to get that offer now. I don’t know if that’s had an effect on him. I’ve talked to several coaches about him. His big thing is keeping his motor running. Once he figures that out, the offers will start rolling in.” 

Guyton plays travel ball with Team Hustle, along with Kyle Brown, who is a senior at Forest Hills Northern. They have played travel ball together of and on since middle school. 

“A super-underrated aspect of his game is his ability to control the game,” Brown said. “When he is rebounding, scoring and running the floor he’s unstoppable. When he goes, our whole team goes.”

Brown said he feels Guyton’s frustration. He’s also a talented basketball player without a college offer.

“Me and him are very similar because we are the two of the most underrated players in the state and the only two kids with no offers.”

But he said he loves playing with Guyton.

“He always has a good attitude and is always positive towards his teammates,” Brown said.