Is love blooming between an NBA star and an American gymnastics icon? Fans are buzzing that Devin Booker and Sunisa “Suni” Lee might be the newest sports power couple after a cozy photo set social media ablaze. But first things first: forget the Paris Olympics context—that was last year. What’s fueling the latest rumors is happening now, in the wake of the recent NBA season and Suni Lee’s post-Paris competitive stretch, not at the Games.

Where the buzz began

Devin Booker, a three-time NBA All-Star, Phoenix Suns cornerstone, and a Special Olympics ambassador since 2020, is famously private about his personal life.
Sunisa Lee, Tokyo Olympic champion and multi-medalist on the world stage, has steadily rebuilt top form after publicly discussing kidney-related health issues in 2023.
A widely shared photo shows Booker with his arm around Lee backstage at a U.S.-based sports event, tagging her with a “goat” emoji—a nod to her greatness. Lee reportedly reshared the moment on her story, and the internet went into overdrive.
Hashtags like #BookerLee and #Suni began trending, with fans “shipping” the pair: “If they’re actually dating, this is America’s new power duo.”

Booker has been active at community and sports events stateside. Cross-sport camaraderie among athletes is common, so a warm photo can simply be a friendly snapshot.
Lee, in her post-Paris phase, continues competing and performing in U.S. gymnastics events and tours, often appearing at gatherings where high-profile athletes mingle and support one another.

Why this photo ignited dating talk

Body language: An arm-over-shoulder pose reads intimate to fans—especially when both figures are young, famous, and widely admired.
The “goat” emoji: Likely a professional compliment, but easy for fans to interpret as a flirtatious signal.
Echo effect: Given Booker’s past public relationships, audiences scrutinize any personal hint. Meanwhile, Lee’s post-Olympic updates draw intense attention. The two media arcs crossing created a multiplier effect.

What we know—and don’t

There is no official confirmation from Booker or Lee that they’re dating. No press statements or on-record interviews confirm a relationship.
The photo appears real (captured and shared on social media), but it’s tied to a domestic sports context, not last year’s Paris Olympics.
Neither has commented further since the image went viral.

A plausible, imagined exchange

Reporter: “Devin, that photo with Suni has fans in a frenzy. Are you two dating?”
Booker (smiles): “I have a ton of respect for Suni. She’s one of the most remarkable athletes I’ve met. As for my personal life, I like to keep that private.”
Reporter: “Suni, how do you feel about Devin calling you ‘GOAT’?”
Lee (laughs): “That’s a big compliment. I’m just trying to do my job every day. We’re friends, and I appreciate support from any athlete who shows love to gymnastics.”

Analysis: media, privacy, and fan expectations

Fans love off-court stories; they humanize stars. But the line between support and intrusion is thin.
Emojis and short captions are ripe for over-interpretation. Reporting rumors as facts—without confirmation—can put pressure on athletes, affecting performance or brand commitments.
On the flip side, modern stars know how to use social media to connect. A friendly story can also uplift cross-sport appreciation and draw new audiences to women’s sports—something Lee and her peers welcome.

Cautious conclusion

Are Devin Booker and Sunisa Lee dating? As of now, there’s no confirmation. The signs point to friendly warmth and positive social engagement—enough for fans to “ship,” but not enough to state they’re romantically involved.
What’s certain: Both are standout ambassadors of American sport—one a scorer and leader in the NBA, the other an inspiration in gymnastics. Whether friends or something more, that shared moment already tells a sweet story of respect across disciplines.

A note to fans

If you love the idea of a “sports couple,” cheer them on respectfully. Don’t turn speculation into pressure.
If you care most about performance, there’s still a reason to smile: sport connects people—sometimes with a perfect assist, sometimes with an arm over a shoulder and a playful “goat” emoji.

Until there’s an on-the-record confirmation, the fairest answer is: they’re being “shipped” by the internet. And sometimes, the warmth of that community is the sweetest love story around the stars.