TUCSON – Enhancing their roster with high-level recruits is part of the Arizona Wildcats’ DNA. In a loaded 2025 recruiting class that was ranked second in the nation and includes Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, Dwayne Aristode and Bryce James, the secret weapon for this Arizona men’s basketball team could be someone completely unexpected.
Sidi Gueye is an international four-star recruit that almost nobody discusses, yet could be the most underrated player on the team. Born in Senegal, Gueye moved to Spain and started playing for Real Madrid in the EuroLeague at the young age of 13.
Still 17, Gueye will be one of the youngest players in college basketball playing for one of the premier teams in the NCAA. Standing at 6-feet-11, Gueye figures to be in the mix for playing time as one of the big men for Arizona.
After losing 7-footer Henri Veesaar to North Carolina, a hole needs to be filled next to senior Tobe Awaka and junior Montiejus Krivas. Gueye figures to fill that vacancy.
He is grateful to be here after a challenging move.
Gueye had issues entering the country due to problems involving his student visa, leading to a much later arrival than his teammates.
“It was not easy for me,” Gueye said about his visa troubles. “I am trying to be back and get ready for the season.”
Since Gueye has arrived in Tucson, his teammates have welcomed him and helped him with the uphill climb he faces in preparation for the regular season. With this comes some “welcome to college basketball” moments.
“I think the coaches have done that themselves,” Awaka said. “Just running on being hard on him, coaching him hard.”
Since arriving, Gueye has impressed not only his coaches, but his teammates as well due to his natural ability, hard work and determination.
“I think he’s picked up things really fast,” Awaka said. “And that might go unnoticed, just because he’s missed so much, he’s trying to catch up. But he’s picked up things really fast. And I think skill-wise, he’ll surprise you in terms of what he’s able to do. Shot fake, take you off the dribble, lay the ball up or do the same thing with the spin move. So he’s definitely skilled.”
Even the other freshmen on the team are impressed with Gueye’s abilities.
“He’s a really good player,” Peat said. “He’s good with the ball. He’s good at finishing down low. I think he has a lot of potential, and he’s going to be really good for us.”
It’s not just his raw ability to block shots or finish at the rim. Gueye’s character has also stood out throughout this process, teammates say.
“Sidi’s an amazing dude,” freshman forward Mabil Mawut said. “He’s really been competitive. I feel Sidi brings a lot of defensive character to the team and he’s really a great dude, great character, loves to work hard and he knows why he’s here.”
Regardless of how the season goes for Arizona, Gueye could make an impact for the team now and in future years.
“He’s definitely skilled,” Awaka said. “It’ll be scary to see his potential in the long-run.”
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