When he first officially came to Shawnee State's campus in 2021, Jaiden Guice was the first commitment in the class that followed the 2021 NAIA National Championship-winning squad.

Now, Guice hopes to launch another new beginning, and kickstart a new era in the process.

The 6-1 guard from Westerville, Ohio, a three-year starter at the NAIA level who has scored over 750 career points at the collegiate level and has been to the NAIA National Tournament on two separate occasions -- once with SSU and once with Florida Memorial -- returns to finish his career at the place that he started in 2025-26 as Guice will play out his final season of eligibility at Shawnee State when the season tips off later this fall.

"I just want to say that I'm very excited for the opportunity that's been presented to me. I feel very blessed to be able to play college basketball for a fifth year. I'm excited to work with Coach Fred, Coach Chan and the entire staff, and get in the gym and get to work with the guys."

Guice, who has scored 751 career points as a college basketball player, scored 523 of those tallies at Shawnee State over his first two seasons of play in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Despite his youth at that time, Guice acquitted himself well under former Shawnee State alum DeLano Thomas, averaging 8.8 points on 47 percent shooting from the field and a 44 percent mark from three-point range as a freshman, then averaging 10.5 points per contest as a sophomore. Shawnee State went 35-27 during this stretch with an appearance in the NAIA Opening Round in 2023.

In 2024, Guice made it back to the NAIA Opening Round with Florida Memorial, averaging 8.7 points during the 2023-24 season while shooting 39.2 percent from three-point range as a junior. Florida Memorial went 24-7 and won the 2024 Sun Conference Tournament Championship, winning six of its last seven games to reach the 2024 NAIA Opening Round before falling at that stage.

Overall, Guice has played in 75 games and has started in 51 contests over the course of his college career. 

"It's a whirlwind of excitement and a true blessing to return to a place that has and continues to welcome me with open arms," Guice said. "I'm thrilled for the opportunity to start building on what we can potentially have when we are all together on campus in the fall."