Senegalese big man Sidi Gueye has signed with Arizona, the school confirmed Tuesday after an ESPN report said he committed to the Wildcats.
Playing for Real Madrid and its U18 youth club in 2024-25, the 6-11 Gueye opened eyes on the European circuits with his 7-4 wingspan and defensive versatility.
Gueye averaged 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over 12 games in the U18 NextGen Euroleague while also playing briefly over four games in the Spanish top ACB league and three games in Euroleague competition.
Gueye
"Gueye is an elite defender who is often tasked with guarding smaller players on the perimeter," ESPN's Jonathan Givony wrote. "He has a 7-foot-4 wingspan, which gives him significant versatility on that end of the floor, and he was a prolific shot blocker at the European junior level."
Gueye was born in Senegal and moved to Spain in 2021 to play for Real Madrid, the same club that developed former UA big man Henri Veesaar before he spent the past three seasons with the Wildcats.
"Coach (Tommy) Lloyd is one of the top coaches in college, and he has coached many international players before," Gueye told ESPN. "He made me feel comfortable and showed me how I can improve and produce in his system."
Madehoops.com scout Ngijol Songolo called Gueye one of the top international prospects in his class, while Wilko Martínez-Cachero of Floor and Ceiling said Gueye is one of his favorite big men in his NBA Draft (2027) class.
I'm very high on new Arizona commit Sidi Gueye (2007). He'll be one of my favorite bigs in his #nbadraft class.Fluid, rangy defender with overlooked feel as a passer. Doesn't shoot, but can make decisions on both ends. Another prospect leaving the Real Madrid ranks in favor of… pic.twitter.com/lgYkhck579
— FLOOR and CEILING (Wilko) (@wilkomcv) April 30, 2025
One of the top international prospects in his class, Sidi Gueye’s defense, frame and developing processing have all been trending upward pic.twitter.com/1hh2KmP8iF https://t.co/MqfJXuyD92
— Ngijol Songolo (@5ongolo) April 30, 2025
"Fluid, rangy defender with overlooked feel as a passer," Martinez-Cachero posted. "Doesn't shoot, but can make decisions on both ends."
Over a year ago, international basketball writer Ignacio Risotto said Gueye was already one of the top international players born in 2007.
"Tremendous combination of size, length and agility," he posted. "Potential as an elite lob catcher and rim protector. Has shown flashes of ball-handling and versatile defense, as well."
Gueye, who will turn 18 just before next season, will join Motiejus Krivas, Tobe Awaka and Koa Peat as UA post players next season.
Arizona's tentative 2025-26 roster:
Tobe Awaka, 6-8, senior
Dwayne Aristode, 6-8, freshman
Jaden Bradley, 6-3, senior*
Carter Bryant, 6-8, sophomore*
Brayden Burries, 6-4, freshman
Anthony Dell’Orso, 6-6, senior
Sidi Gueye, 6-11, freshman
Bryce James, 6-4, freshman
Motiejus Krivas, 7-2, junior
Evan Nelson, 6-2, senior
Koa Peat, 6-8, freshman
Addison Arnold, 6-3, sophomore#
Jackson Francois, 6-5, senior#
Jackson Cook, 6-3 sophomore#
* Testing the NBA Draft. Bradley is expected to return.
# Walk-on player in 2023-24. Teams will be limited to 15 players overall regardless of walk-ons in 2025-26 instead of having a 13-player scholarship maximum and unlimited walk-ons. It is unclear if UA will retain its three returning walk-ons.
