Arizona men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd made his reputation as a Gonzaga assistant off landing top international prospects. Lloyd has prioritized international players less over the years, but the Wildcats coach went back overseas to land Arizona’s newest commit.
Arizona picked up a commitment Wednesday from Senegal’s Sidi Gueye, one of the top international prospects in his age class, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The 17-year-old Gueye doesn’t turn 18 until October and will likely be a development piece for the 2025-26 season.
Gueye is 6-foot-11 with a 7’4 wingspan and is known for his shot blocking. Gueye plays for Real Madrid, the same Spanish program that produced Henri Veesaar.
NEWS: Real Madrid’s Sidi Gueye has committed to Arizona, he told ESPN.
The 6’11, 17-year old Senegalese forward with a 7’4 wingspan made his Euroleague and ACB debuts last October. Highly versatile defender.
STORY: https://t.co/0BYZCDRAOw pic.twitter.com/Fq8elxncYM
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 30, 2025
Gueye told ESPN that he was impressed with Arizona’s track record of developing international players under Lloyd.
“It will help a lot,” he said. “They have had Oumar Ballo, Christian Koloko, Benn Mathurin, and many other international players, which helps to see others have done the same journey. I am excited to meet my new teammates and become close as a team.”
Like Gueye, Ballo (Mali) and Koloko (Cameroon) both hail from Africa. Gueye’s native Senegal has produced at least 16 NBA players.
ANGT Highlights from Sidi Gueye. One of the top players in the 2007 intl generation. Tremendous combination of size, length and agility. Potential as an elite lob catcher and rim protector. Has shown flashes of ball-handling and versatile defense as well. pic.twitter.com/jpSQhTfjJl
— Ignacio Rissotto (@eyreball) January 29, 2024
Sidi Gueye led Real Madrid to a 2-0 start to #TorneigBasketLH after the first day.
Touch, mobility and energy were on full display as he came out aggressive and impacting the game on both ends.
His brief experience with the senior team seems to be paying off already. pic.twitter.com/2RgFq2U5mf
— Ngijol Songolo (@5ongolo) December 19, 2024
Gueye becomes the fourth international player on the Wildcats’ current roster, joining Motiejus Krivas (Lithuania), Anthony Dell’Orso (Australia) and Dwayne Aristode (Netherlands).
Gueye will give Arizona more depth in the post beside Tobe Awaka and Krivas. How much he plays as a freshman will depend on how quickly he can adapt to the college level, which is a more physical style of play than overseas.
NUEVO VÍDEO
#TerceraFEB
Una de las perlas jóvenes de la categoría, Sidi Gueye llama la atención con su movilidad por dentro, su envergadura interminable y su juego por encima del aro.
© @CompeticionFEB
@FGLaRoda pic.twitter.com/LWCTIQlrPF— zonadebasquet.com (@zonadebasquet) February 26, 2025
Gueye’s commitment further shores up Arizona’s roster for the upcoming season. Arizona is waiting on a decision from Carter Bryant of whether he’ll stay in the NBA Draft or return for a sophomore year. If Bryant leaves, Arizona will likely turn to the transfer portal to find a replacement.