WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Featuring: Isaiah Cleaves | Point Guard / Shooting Guard | James Clemens High School

Coach D
Dec 31, 2025
3 min read

For Isaiah Cleaves, basketball has never been something he picked up. It’s something that’s always been with him.

From the time he was three years old, Isaiah had a ball in his hands, dribbling, shooting, learning the rhythm of the game while watching his father work out athletes around him. That early exposure planted more than skill. It planted belief.

“I’ve had a basketball in my hands ever since,” he says.

Built in Madison

Growing up in Madison, Alabama, Isaiah benefited from access, but he never confused access with entitlement.

“It shaped me because I had places, I could go work out,” he explains. “That came from my mom and dad’s connections.”

What he did with those opportunities was up to him.

And Isaiah chose work.

A Why That Evolved

At first, Isaiah’s motivation was simple and heartfelt.

“I started doing this to make my dad proud.”

But as competition intensified and doubt grew louder, his “why” sharpened.

“Now I’m doing it to prove I can play in college,” he says. “And to prove everyone who says I can’t play basketball at a high level wrong.”

That shift, from approval to ownership, marks a turning point in every serious athlete’s journey.

Leaving Nothing on the Floor

Isaiah measures success by effort, not applause.

“I’ll leave everything on the court and do the little things to win.”

His weekly training reflects that mindset:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Shooting and conditioning
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: Finishing, defense, and one-on-one play

There’s structure. There’s intent. And there’s accountability.

One hidden detail separates him from most: “I make 500 shots, but I run a mile before I shoot.”

Fatigue first. Focus second. Results last.

Silence Before the Storm

Before games, Zay disconnects from everything.

“I take a shower, then listen to music by myself in a room alone.”

It’s his way of locking in—mentally clearing space so performance can take over.

Recovery matters just as much. Ice baths, Epsom salt baths, and stretching are non-negotiables.

Turning Doubt into Speed

One of Isaiah’s biggest challenges has been confidence especially early at the 7A level.

“In my first two 7A games, I doubted myself,” he admits. “I thought I wasn’t strong enough or fast enough.”

Instead of shrinking, he responded.

“I lifted more. I did more speed and agility training.”

Now?

“I’m the fastest person on the court.”

That transformation didn’t come from talking. It came from training.

Mindset Over Everything

For Isaiah, faith and mental discipline are the edge.

“Mental discipline will get you over the edge,” he says. “I’m always going to have faith and the mindset that I’m going to do good.”

When pressure hits, his answer is simple.

“Win.”

Energy You Can Feel

Teammates would describe Isaiah as passionate, a communicator who talks constantly on the court and brings energy into every huddle.

Off the court, he’s the same presence.

“I’m always happy and trying to make sure everyone is having a good day.”

Leadership, to him, isn’t passive.

“It’s pushing people when they don’t want to be pushed.”

Family and Foundations

Isaiah credits his parents for being there through everything, especially during moments of doubt.

“They told me not to give up on myself and to embrace the haters.”

He also points back to his teachers at Monrovia Elementary School, who influenced him early and helped shape his mindset long before high school basketball entered the picture.