The new NCAA gymnastics season is almost here, and Florida will be looking to improve upon its fourth-place finish last year. In the meantime, the Gators have already made an array of new signings like Amelia Disidore, Maddy Dorbin, and Jocelyn Sasson. However, the recruit that has perhaps created the most buzz is the 16-year-old early entrant, Ly Bui.

“We are truly ecstatic to officially welcome Ly Bui to the Gators Gymnastics family,” said head coach Jenny Rowland as she reflected on the signing. “A fiercely competitive athlete, Ly embodies the perfect blend of grace and power, proving that great things come in small packages. We can’t wait to see her showcase her extraordinary talent in the O’Dome and inspire our fans with her passion for gymnastics and her dedication to the Gators through her exceptional performances,” she added. An elite, Bui is expected to be a valuable addition to the team particularly because of her strength in bars.

Bui’s addition to the Gators’ roster has the gymnastics community buzzing like anything. But how much exactly do we know about her? Let’s find out.

All we know about Ly Bui’s background

Ly Bui was born to parents Linh Bui and Khai Bui in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and began gymnastics in her sophomore year. When asked about how she got into gymnastics, the 16-year-old prodigy replied, “My parents took me there to have fun.” Simple yet profound. Bui also has a brother named Kien Bui who is practicing level 8 in Men’s Gymnastics.

A student of Al Fong and Armine Barutyan-Fong at the Great American Gymnastics Express (GAGE), Bui’s favorite events in the sport are bars and vault. However, the thing she enjoys the most about gymnastics is getting to learn things every day. She wants to become the best she can be, and that is exactly the kind of attitude that can get her there.

Has Ly Bui represented the US National Gymnastics Team?

Although an important milestone in her gymnastics career, joining the Florida Gators is not Bui’s only claim to fame. She has had an illustrious career in her run-up to the Gator’s roster. You don’t get named a College Gym News 5-Star recruit for being average!

Bui was tied for the 5th position in the 2023 Core Hydration Classic all-around (junior division) and stood sixth in the vault. Her most significant achievement, however, came after she secured the seventh position in the 2023 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics all-around (junior division) and stood 4th and 7th in bars and vault respectively. After the competition, she became a member of the 2023-24 U.S. Senior National Team alongside the likes of Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles.

The Swisher prodigy competed in vault, bars, and balance beam at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic where she was tied for the 9th place in uneven bars. Furthermore, she also competed in vault and uneven bars at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Championship, securing the 13th spot in uneven bars.

Although she couldn’t make it to the 2024-25 U.S. Senior National Team, she still has time on her side, and the talent to get there. At the moment, the gymnast will be focused on hitting the ground running with the Gators. The season begins on January 10 for Florida. The Gators will host Michigan State, Nebraska, and Northern Illinois on the day.