Florida’s Ly Bui Is Growing Up Fast-On and Off the Gymnastics Floor
At just 16 years old, Ly Bui stepped onto the college gymnastics stage and didn’t blink. Now a sophomore for the Florida Gators, Bui has already carved out a reputation as one of the program’s brightest young stars-not just for her talent, but for how quickly she’s adapted to the demands of NCAA competition, college life, and, yes, even a growth spurt.
Bui’s story reads like something out of a sports movie. A native of Swisher, Iowa, she skipped a grade in elementary school and had enough credits to graduate high school by the fall of her senior year.
That’s when Florida assistant coach Adrian Burde presented a bold opportunity: graduate early and join the Gators for the 2025 season. After a family discussion-her parents, both engineers, believed she was ready-Bui packed her bags and headed to Gainesville.
No redshirt. No easing in. Just straight into the fire.
And she thrived.
Bui didn’t miss a single meet as a freshman, becoming the youngest gymnast to compete in the NCAA during the 2025 season. She was also a member of the U.S.
Senior National Team in 2023-24, a testament to her elite pedigree. But what’s made her such a standout at Florida isn’t just her résumé-it’s her poise.
“She’s handled it with a lot of grace,” head coach Jenny Rowland said. “Moving to start college at 16…I can’t imagine what that’s like myself.”
Despite her age, Bui has emerged as a key contributor to a Florida team loaded with veteran talent like Leanne Wong and Sloane Blakely. She kicked off the Gators’ season-opening meet last Friday with a 9.925 on vault-setting the tone for what turned out to be a statement performance from the nation’s top-ranked squad.
She’s doing all of this without a driver’s license. But don’t mistake her youth for inexperience.
Bui’s already logged plenty of miles in the SEC, competing in hostile environments from Baton Rouge to Norman. Those road trips-grueling as they were-taught her how to stay composed under pressure.
“All those experiences altered my brain for what I think is a big moment,” Bui said. “This year, I just approach them as a normal meet.”
That mindset will come in handy Friday night, when No. 1 Florida hosts No.
4 Alabama in what’s expected to be a packed O’Connell Center. It’s a marquee SEC matchup with major postseason implications-and Bui’s not treating it any differently than any other meet.
Still, the transition to college gymnastics hasn’t been all smooth landings. Over the summer, Bui hit a growth spurt-a half-inch that’s thrown off the finely tuned mechanics of her routines.
“You grow a half-an-inch and everything just feels off,” Bui said. “You have to readjust swinging on bars and tops on bars.”
That’s a challenge every gymnast dreads. Shifting body dynamics can affect timing, balance, and spatial awareness-especially on events like bars where precision is everything. But Bui’s tackled it with the same maturity she’s shown since arriving on campus.
“Some days, I’ll have some events or skills that will feel ‘off,’” she said. “I’ll be like, ‘It didn’t feel that way two weeks ago,’ and I’ll just have to remember that I’m still growing.”
Coach Rowland praised Bui’s ability to adapt quickly, noting her resilience and self-awareness. And while her routines are sharp, her personality might be even more impactful.
“Everyone is like a big sister to her,” Rowland said. “Her giggle…she just brings a lot of joy to the team.
She’s especially hilarious. I hope you get her laughing because you can hear it across the O’Dome.”
That joy is contagious, and it’s part of what makes Bui such a valuable presence on this Florida squad. Whether she’s scoring a 9.925 in front of thousands or getting a ride from a teammate to pick up groceries, she’s embraced every part of the college experience.
And she’s just getting started.
Florida’s showdown with Alabama gets underway at 6:45 p.m. ET at the O’Connell Center, with coverage on ESPN2. Keep an eye on No. 2 in orange and blue-because Ly Bui may still be growing, but she’s already arrived.