“I really didn’t think that I would even sit on the podium,” Suni Lee admitted, having battled health scares. But the 21-year-old ended up on the podium thrice – once for gold and twice for the bronze. Watching in admiration from afar as she waved, was UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers.

In an interview with UPROXX dated August 9th, Bueckers was asked who really ‘fired her up the most’ at the Olympics. “I would say probably Suni Lee,” she answered. The two athletes shared a homestate in common – Minnesota. This gave her a closer view of all the adversities Lee has gone through to eventually make it big on the biggest stage.

“Her resilience. The fact that doctors told her she might not ever do gymnastics again [due to a kidney disease diagnosis in 2022], and here she is, winning medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. It’s been inspiring to watch, and I’m just super proud of her,” expressed Bueckers. 

Back in early 2023, Suni Lee faced a tough battle, being obliged to stay off the gymnastics mats due to a condition that caused unusual swelling. She had to cut her Auburn University journey short and withdraw from her sport for a while. But she knew she wanted to be back for the Olympics. So months into recovery and practice, Lee made it to the elite mats but she did not have it easy, registering a few slip-ups at the Winter Cup, including her signature move.

But the June US Olympics trials at her hometown saw an improved Suni Lee. Excelling in uneven bars, finishing second, and bagging three medals, the gymnast has proven obstructions wrong. “I just have to keep reminding myself that I wasn’t even supposed to be here. So that’s the thing that’s in the back of my head because I’m like, ‘You know what? Like a couple months ago, we didn’t even think this was a possibility,” Lee said in an interview.

The journey, if not whole, very much falls in line with that of Paige Bueckers’ herself.

Paige Bueckers’ setbacks have got nothing on her

Back in 2020, Paige Bueckers burst onto the collegiate scene with UConn, delivering an impressive debut performance with 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Known as the most anticipated recruit since Breanna Stewart in 2012, Bueckers lived up to the hype during her rookie year. She started 28 of 29 games, averaging 20 points, 4.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. She also made history by being the first freshman to win the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 2021.

While everything was going smooth for two seasons, Paige Bueckers faced a tough setback when a tibial plateau fracture in 2021 and an ACL tear forced her to miss the entire 2022-23 season. Despite this challenging pause in her otherwise stellar college career, Bueckers returned with renewed vigor.

In her comeback year, Bueckers started in 39 games for the Huskies and was stronger than ever as she broke her own debut year record by averaging 21.9 points per game. She led the Huskies to the semi-finals, however, had a bitter taste of not making it to the finals.

The upcoming season is going to be the final one for Paige Bueckers and she intends to make the most of it. Regardless, she is expected to be among the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show”. Our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.