Top global possibility joins new-look Arizona

• Jonathan GivonyApr 30, 2025, 09:13 AM ET Close NBA draft analyst and writer Signed Up With ESPN.com in July 2017
  Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and worldwide teams

Sidi Gueye, among the top global potential customers in his age, informed ESPN on Wednesday that he has dedicated to Arizona.

“Coach [Tommy] Lloyd is among the top coaches in college, and he has coached many international players before,” Gueye informed ESPN. “He made me feel comfortable and revealed me how I can enhance and produce in his system.”

The 6-foot-11 forward from Senegal made his EuroLeague and Spanish ACB league debuts for Real Madrid in October, simply weeks after turning 17. He will likely be among the youngest players in college basketball next season.

“To bet Real Madrid was fantastic,” Gueye stated. “They are a great organization and have assisted me a lot in my basketball advancement. It is interesting to go to the United States for college, and so many more leading players are coming over, making the decision much easier. I wanted to continue to improve, and college appeared like a great next step.”

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1 Related Gueye is an elite defender who is frequently tasked with safeguarding smaller players on the border. He has a 7-foot-4 wingspan, which provides him significant versatility on that end of the floor, and he was a prolific shot blocker at the European junior level.Born in Senegal,

Gueye says he began playing basketball at the age of 12 in 2019 and showed up in Spain in November 2021 after his youth coach helped link him with Genuine Madrid.Lloyd built his track record as one of the early leaders in the global basketball recruiting realm at Gonzaga by drawing in the likes of Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania), Ronny Turiaf (France), Rui Hachimura (Japan), Kelly Olynyk (Canada), Mario Kasun (Croatia) and others, and Gueye will assist continue that pipeline at Arizona.Gueye said Lloyd’s track record with global players, and Arizona’s existing lineup, which currently boasts a minimum of 3 other internationals in Anthony Dellorso(Australia), Motiejus Krivas (Lithuania), and Dwayne Aristode(Netherlands ), contributed in his decision.”It will assist a lot, “Gueye said.

“They have had Oumar Ballo, Christian Koloko, Benn Mathurin, and numerous other international players, which helps to see others have done the exact same journey. I am delighted to meet my brand-new teammates and become close as a group.”Arizona’s lineup will look substantially various next season

as leading scorer Caleb Love tired his college eligibility together with starting power forward Trey Townsend. Key rotation pieces Henri Veesaar and KJ Lewis transfered to North Carolina and Georgetown, respectively. Projected first-round choice Carter Bryant is presently checking the NBA draft waters.The Wildcats included 3 highly concerned freshmen in Aristode, huge guy Koa Peat and guard Brayden Burries, along with LeBron James’kid, Bryce James.Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft specialist and the creator and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international groups.