Sports Info Dash is your all-in-one hub for real-time sports updates, live scores, in-depth match stats, player profiles, and breaking news across football, basketball, tennis, and more. Stay ahead with the latest in global sports action.
Sports Info Dash
Arizona Wildcats basketball fans have a new reason to be excited. Sidi Gueye, one of the top international basketball prospects, is joining the Arizona Wildcats for the 2025-26 season. His arrival marks a significant addition to a program already known for embracing talent from around the globe.
Sidi Gueye is a highly regarded young forward from Senegal. He made his European professional debut with Real Madrid's basketball program. Gueye started playing basketball at just 12 years old in 2019. In under six years, he rose quickly through the ranks, moving to Spain in 2021. At Real Madrid, he competed in both the EuroLeague and Spain's ACB league, making his debut not long after his 17th birthday. His impressive size—standing at 6-foot-11 with a 7'4" wingspan—makes him a formidable defender and rebounder.
He played seven games for Real Madrid's senior team in the 2024-25 season and started four games for the U18 squad. In these appearances, he averaged 3.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. Though still developing, his elite defensive instincts and length have already earned him attention from top coaches around the world.
Gueye’s decision was influenced largely by Arizona’s strong reputation for recruiting international talent. Head coach Tommy Lloyd has a proven track record with international players, which made the Wildcats an appealing choice. According to Bleacher Report's detailed feature, Gueye was impressed by Coach Lloyd’s vision and the supportive environment at Arizona. The Wildcats’ ability to integrate overseas players into their system gave Gueye confidence in the program’s commitment to his growth.
In an interview with ESPN (via SuperWest Sports), Gueye shared, “Coach [Tommy] 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.”
The addition of Sidi Gueye is key for Arizona as they build one of the country's strongest recruiting classes. Joining talented freshmen like Bryce James and Koa Peat, Gueye is set to become a vital part of the Wildcats' future. Arizona already had a top-ranked class before adding him, and the team expects to be competitive on a national level in the coming seasons.
Gueye’s defense is his calling card. His long wingspan allows him to guard multiple positions, protect the rim, and contest shots with ease. Such versatility has drawn comparisons to elite defenders at both the college and professional level. While he may start as a developmental talent, his ceiling is high, and Arizona will provide him with the resources and coaching needed to refine his game.
As covered in this in-depth SuperWest Sports profile, Sidi Gueye’s move to the United States stands as another example of elite international players choosing college basketball as their next step. His presence in Arizona strengthens the Wildcats’ roster and reinforces their reputation as a global basketball destination.
Sidi Gueye’s journey from Senegal to Real Madrid and now to Arizona represents the changing face of college basketball. Programs are now more global, attracting top athletes from every continent. Gueye’s story will inspire more international players to consider U.S. college basketball as a pathway to future success.
Arizona fans can look forward to watching Sidi Gueye develop his skills and contribute on both ends of the floor. If his trajectory continues, he has the potential to be a game-changer and lead Arizona to deep runs in the NCAA tournament. As we watch his growth, one thing is certain: Sidi Gueye is a name to remember in the world of college basketball.