One of the most popular breeding grounds for outstanding basketball players is Real Madrid. The club has produced elite players like Luka Doncic and now, rising star Sidi Gueye. Doncic gained popularity among fans during his EuroLeague stint and remains a powerhouse in basketball. Gueye, on the other hand, is just carving out a name for himself in the professional space. But how do their tenures with Real Madrid in the EuroLeague compare? Let’s find out.
From Prodigy to Prospect: Comparing Luka Doncic and Sidi Gueye’s Early Real Madrid Careers
Luka Doncic joined the Real Madrid academy in 2012 at just 13 years old. His rapid rise through the youth system was impressive, culminating in a standout performance in May 2015, when he led Real Madrid to victory in the Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament and was named MVP. At 16, he made his debut for the first team. By the age of 19, Doncic had established himself as the best player in Europe, breaking several records and becoming a key figure for the club.
Sidi Gueye was 14 when he arrived at Real Madrid in 2021. His career started in Senegal two years earlier. Gueye made his EuroLeague and Spanish ACB debut in October 2024. He dropped a career-high 14 points and eight rebounds against U18 Bayern Munich in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament.
Doncic was renowned at Real Madrid for his ability to dominate games as a primary ball handler. His contribution led to the team winning the EuroLeague title. He scored 15 points in the championship game, maintained a league-high Performance Index Rating, won several monthly MVP awards, and was named the youngest EuroLeague MVP of the player in 2017.
What sets him apart is his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking skills. He played 80 EuroLeague Games, starting 32, averaging 10.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, and has a 15.6 Performance Index Rating.
Gueye, on the other hand, has had limited impact. He is still young, and his career is just starting. Nonetheless, he is a defensive player who guards small players on the perimeter. His 7’4″ wingspan is an asset that improves his defensive prowess. He is popularly known for blocking shots and disrupting plays. He has only played three games in the EuroLeague, scoring two points with a Performance Index Rating of 0.3.
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Luka Doncic contributed far more to Real Madrid during his time there and remains one of the best talents produced by the club. Gueye, by contrast, is at the beginning of his journey. His impact at Madrid has been limited, and now that he is joining Arizona, he must make the most of his college career to power his NBA dreams.
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