The 2026–27 roster has officially begun to take shape, but the first bit of movement is far from encouraging for Arizona. Instead of building continuity off a successful Final Four run, the program is already dealing with an unexpected departure that could impact its frontcourt depth moving forward.
Freshman forward has decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal, making him the first player from Arizona’s Final Four team to leave the program outside of those who have run out of eligibility. While roster turnover is a normal part of college basketball in the transfer portal era, early exits like this can disrupt development plans and force coaching staffs to adjust more quickly than anticipated.
Standing at 6-foot-10, Gueye saw limited action during his freshman campaign but showed flashes of efficiency and potential. He appeared in 26 games for the Wildcats, averaging 1.3 points and 0.8 rebounds in just 3.5 minutes per game. Despite the small sample size, he made the most of his opportunities, shooting an impressive 13-of-18 from the field and adding eight blocked shots. Most of his minutes came in late-game or “mop-up” situations, but those moments still offered glimpses of his length, defensive instincts, and ability to finish around the rim.
His role briefly expanded when teammate Koa Peat was sidelined, giving Gueye a chance to step into a more meaningful stretch of playing time. During that period, he delivered his most notable performance of the season against BYU, recording 4 points and 4 rebounds in a career-high 10 minutes. While not eye-popping numbers, it was a sign that he could contribute when given a larger role and consistent minutes.
Looking ahead, Gueye was widely expected to take a step forward in his sophomore year. With another offseason to develop physically and refine his skills, he could have carved out a more significant spot in the rotation. How large that role might have been depended heavily on the status of center Motiejus Krivas. If Krivas chose to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft, it would have opened up more opportunities in the frontcourt. On the other hand, if he returned for his senior season, Gueye would likely have continued developing in a more limited but still important supporting role.
Ultimately, Gueye’s decision to transfer introduces an early layer of uncertainty for Arizona as it looks to reload and remain competitive at a high level.
