In part because he missed all of Arizona’s summertime workouts due to visa delays, Arizona forward Sidi Gueye is a bit behind in basketball and in fluency with his fourth language, English.
But one thing that hasn’t been a problem: Communicating with Spanish-speakers around town, including some workers at UA’s Bear Down Kitchen.
“Yeah, they speak Spanish,” Gueye said, his face lighting up somewhat during UA’s preseason media interviews.
A native of Senegal who speaks French and a native language, Gueye also picked up Spanish while playing for Real Madrid’s top junior club before agreeing to become a Wildcat last spring.
While he said his first practice was “a little bit hard” because of all the learning he had to do and the speed he had to adjust to, Gueye’s teammates indicated he might not be behind for long.
“He’s really a talented guy,” UA center Motiejus Krivas said. “I think the most important thing is that he wants to learn every practice. His eyes are open and he takes every advice, and every practice you can feel that he’s getting better.”
Sidi Gueye (15) poses for a photo during Arizona men’s basketball media day at McKale Center, Sept. 17, 2025.
Already, Krivas said, Gueye has athleticism and length that help him “defend the basket really well,” while forward Koa Peat said Gueye catches the ball and finishes well, something that could help give the Wildcats another option in the frontcourt.
Listed at 6-foot-11 and 215 pounds, Gueye played for Real Madrid and its U18 youth club in 2024-25, playing briefly over four games in the Spanish top ACB league and three games in Euroleague competition. He also averaged 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over 12 games in the U18 NextGen Euroleague.
But after signing with the Wildcats in late April, Gueye was delayed in getting a U.S. student visa. He said he eventually received one in Madrid, but that the process went slower than expected.
“The most important thing is I’m here right now and excited to get started,” Gueye said.
New media day format
Not only was it held for the earliest date in recent memory, but Arizona’s annual preseason media day took on a different format Wednesday.
In also posing for their official and media photos, UA players were rotated between a room full of digital reporters and varying setups with individual TV and radio stations. Ten of the Wildcats made the full rotation, though freshman guard Brayden Burries was ill and unable to make it for interviews or photographs.
UA coach Tommy Lloyd was not available but is expected to be before the Wildcats’ Oct. 3 Red Blue Showcase, and developmental freshman Bryce James was also not present for interviews.
Bearded Delly
With the Wildcats posing for their official school and media photos Wednesday, senior wing Anthony Dell’Orso showed up with a new look: a full beard.
Arizona guard Anthony Dell’Orso (3) dribbles against guard Addison Arnold (22) during a partially-open practice at Richard Jefferson Gymnasium, Aug. 12, 2025.
The Aussie said he isn’t sure if he will keep it this season, however.
“Maybe. It’s just kind of day by day,” Dell’Orso said. “I had it for the summer, then I got rid of it, and then I brought it back.”
Exhibition times set
Arizona announced tipoff times for its exhibition games against Saint Mary’s and Embry-Riddle.
The Wildcats will face Saint Mary’s at 2 p.m. on Oct. 18 and Embry-Riddle at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27. Both games will be carried on ESPN+.
Lindy’s ranks Arizona No. 15
Arizona ranked No. 15 in Lindy’s 2025-26 college basketball magazine, citing the Wildcats’ strong returning core and an “old-school recruiting class” that includes standouts Peat and Burries.
“This is starting to feel like what used to happen at Lloyd’s former stop at Gonzaga,” Lindy’s wrote, “mix in sturdy vets with NBA-bound youngsters and pencil them into the second weekend (of the NCAA Tournament) with confidence.”
At No. 24, Peat was the highest-ranked UA player on Lindy’s Top 100 list, while Burries was ranked No. 62 and senior point guard Jaden Bradley No. 75. Lindy’s also rated UA’s backcourt No. 4.
Within the Big 12, Lindy’s picked Arizona to finish fifth behind Houston, Iowa State, Texas Tech and BYU. It had Peat on its Big 12 second team, with Burries and Bradley on the third team, and said Peat would be the best rebounder out of the conference’s freshmen.
