Senegalese Prospect Sidi Gueye Commits to Arizona Basketball

TUCSON, Ariz. — Sidi Gueye, a 6-foot-11 forward from Senegal, announced on Wednesday that he has committed to play basketball for the University of Arizona. Gueye’s decision comes after experiencing success in Europe, where he recently debuted in both the EuroLeague and the Spanish ACB league.

Gueye expressed his admiration for Arizona’s head coach, Tommy Lloyd, saying, “Coach Lloyd is one of the top coaches in college, and he has coached many international players before. He made me feel comfortable and showed me how I can improve and produce in his system.” Gueye’s transition to college basketball is eagerly anticipated, as he is expected to be one of the youngest players in the upcoming season.

At just 17 years old, Gueye stated, “To play for Real Madrid was amazing. They are a great organization and have helped me so much in my basketball development. It is exciting to go to the United States for college, and so many more top players are coming over, making the decision easier.” His commitment reflects a growing trend of international talents opting for NCAA opportunities.

Known for his defensive prowess, Gueye has a remarkable 7-foot-4 wingspan, aiding his ability to guard both big and small players effectively. He began playing basketball at age 12 in 2019 and moved to Spain in November 2021, where he was connected with Real Madrid by his youth coach.

Lloyd has a solid reputation for developing international players, successfully recruiting talents like Domantas Sabonis and Rui Hachimura during his time at Gonzaga. Gueye’s commitment continues this legacy at Arizona, which has several other international players on its roster, including Anthony Dellorso from Australia and others.

“It will help a lot,” Gueye noted about playing alongside international teammates. “I am excited to meet my new teammates and become close as a team.”

Next season, Arizona will see significant changes as leading scorer and starting power forward have exhausted their college eligibility, and more key players are considering the NBA draft. The Wildcats have recently added three freshmen, including LeBron James’ son, to their roster.