A second chance for Isaiah Cleaves has him on top of his game after learning to walk and run again
MADISON – Second Chance, is not only the title of a late 1980’s hit song by the rock group 38 Special, but could easily be designated to describe the athletic journey of Isaiah Cleaves the 6-foot, 178-pound senior basketball player for the James Clemens Jets.
Midway through his third season as a starter for the third-ranked Class 7A squad, Cleaves is averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals per game. In the recent 43rd annual Huntsville City Classic 16team tournament, he averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds per outing as the Jets were 2-1 in the three-day outing defeating both Class 6A seventh-ranked Hazel Green and Class 3A topranked Hale County, but falling to fifth-ranked Sparkman by one point in a round-two matchup.
For Cleaves, he played four years for the Westminster Christian Wildcats before transferring to James Clemens beginning in his sophomore year where he moved to the forefront for James Clemens head coach Frankie Sullivan and has settled in to be one of several three-point shooters the Jets have on their roster for the 2025-2026 season. “I feel I’m a big part of the team as we worked together to build this team where myself, Alexander Blue, Corban Johnson and Seito Yokota have established our presence among the best in the state,” said Cleaves, co-captain of the Jets. “We’ve had several college offers to play at the next level. If our offense is not working, we rely a lot on our defense as our team works off our defensive efforts, and I feel we have the fastest group of guards in Alabama.”
Football was Cleaves’ best sport until a left ankle injury forced his action on the gridiron to come to an immediate stop causing him to reevaluate his athletic future and to basically learn to walk and run again.
“I was playing in an AAU game in Orlando, Fla. for the NYBA Team, which is based in Nashville, as it was July 2019 just after my fifth grade school year,” said Cleaves of his injury that immediately changed his outlook on his athletic future. “The injury to my ankle caused me to undergo surgery where the surgeon inserted three screws to hold together my ankle joint for recovery. I went through seven months of rehabilitation before my doctor cleared me to be able to play basketball again. It was a great relief I could play again, but I gave up football at that point and time.”
In between the injury and release to resume his athletic activities, Cleaves not only fought off the demons many athletes face upon a serious injury, but a point in his recovery his thoughts turned to giving up.
“I had to learn to walk and run again. There were some days I never thought I’d play again and I was giving up,” said Cleaves. “My parents, Eric and Tiffany Cleaves, talked to me about my situation. I found out my dad went through a similar injury and speaking with him about what was going on with me gave me confidence and helped me through the rehab process. I thank God as I felt he gave me spiritual confidence I really needed as I faced a dark place in my life of injury recovery and not knowing what the future would be. It was really hard on me.”
His 2.9 grade point average in the classroom he hopes will lead him to a college where he can play basketball and earn his education to become a physical therapist or athletic trainer as his love of sports has even led him to working a part time job at the Monrovia Community Center assisting with the youth sports programs within the Madison County community. Cleaves also volunteers as a greeter, usher and children’s program assistant at Pine Grove Missionary Church in Harvest where he and his family attend worship. “I try and make a good impact on the children as I want to make sure the kids are doing well,” added Cleaves, the youngest of three children in the Cleaves’ family. He also helps his Cousin, Hosie Seal, help design clothing and shoes. Cleaves is a self-proclaimed “gamer” as he collects video games.
The 18-year old’s play on the court includes quickness, speed, intelligence and athleticism. “I feel I’m a complete player as my dad taught me when I was younger to be good at every aspect of the sport,” said Cleaves. “I’m a leader on the team, very passionate about what I do on the court and will do whatever is needed to help win. I feel I can score, assist and face the best opposing player on defense. I’m also the fastest player on the team.”
Cleaves is taking the time to sit with his parents and talk about schools he may want to attend upon his graduation from James Clemens in May as his future is directly in front of him, after having a second chance.
