For Sug Sutton, basketball was a world she was surrounded by from a very young age. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Sug remembers training with her dad and playing with her older sisters growing up. The game was a space that freed her mind. It was a space that energized her. When she was in fifth grade, Sug knew she wanted to take her passion to the next level—she wanted to play professionally. It was only up from there! Throughout her time in high school, Sug continued to strengthen her skills on the court. But, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. During her senior year of high school, Sug tore her ACL. This was a challenge that would test her determination to pursue her dreams of playing in the WNBA one day. A challenge that would uncover her resilience to getting to the next level. Yet, she remained focused. She continued to work every day to come back to the court better than ever. And, she did just that. During her collegiate career at the University of Texas, Sug elevated her game season after season and earned an array of accolades both on and off the court. She kept her eyes on the prize. She continued to work towards the opportunity to play in the WNBA. Little did she know, but the chance to turn her dreams into reality was right around the corner. With the 36th pick of the 2020 WNBA draft, the Washington Mystics selected Sug.
She had done it. She had achieved her dreams of playing basketball at the highest level. Suddenly, life threw another curveball. Sug was waived from the Mystics. Although many perceived this experience as a minor setback, she embraced the challenge as an opportunity to make a major comeback. She locked in. She began to train every day to get back on that roster. Before she knew it, the chance to join the Mystics’ roster was here and she was ready. The rest is history! Since then, Sug has completed her first season in the WNBA with the Mystics and is currently playing overseas in Poland. She is excited to continue elevating her game on the court, while also giving back to her community in the years to come through personal initiatives off the court.
Take us through that transition from high school to college, what was that process like for you?
I think that was kind of the toughest time I had in my career—just because my senior year of high school I had an injury, a torn ACL. I sat out my whole senior year of high school. Then coming into college, that was something that was kind of hard because I had to deal with that injury and deal with trying to keep up at the college level. You know, the pace was faster so it was a big adjustment for me. I think that was the toughest part of my career—just the adversity that I was put through with my injury, and then trying to come in as a freshman and make an impact.
During this time you were not only going through an injury, but you were also transitioning into a whole new chapter—in terms of school and your basketball career. How did you work to overcome those challenges?
I just had a supportive group behind me. My teammates were supportive, and then I had a really great athletic trainer in Texas—Heidi Wlezien. She was amazing. She got me through my injury and everything that came with it. I think just having my family and my teammates around me at all times lifted my spirits. I also leaned on God—that's when I got close to God, when I went to college—because I knew I couldn't do it on my own. I think my faith was a huge part of how I got through everything, honestly.
Let's talk about Draft Night! You were drafted by the Washington Mystics. What was that experience like for you to hear your name being called, and achieving this dream that you've been wanting since you were really young?
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