Picking a favorite is easy until relationships get involved. Kate Martin had no trouble naming one WNBA skill she envies. The hesitation came immediately after. During a recent YouTube interview discussing Unrivaled and the upcoming season, the Golden State Valkyries guard praised Paige Bueckers’ mid-range scoring before refusing to rank Bueckers, Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson in a start-bench-cut scenario.

“First one that comes to my mind is Paige’s mid-range. It’s like a layup for her. It’s impressive.” 10 seconds later, the tone changed. “I’m not doing that. You can’t get me caught up. No, thank you.”

The contrast defined the conversation. Complimenting a skill was safe. Choosing between people was not. Martin’s connection to Clark explains the hesitation.

The two were teammates at Iowa from 2020 to 2024 and helped the Hawkeyes reach consecutive national championship games, losing to LSU in 2023 and South Carolina in 2024. That shared history turned a simple comparison into a public loyalty test.

At the same time, Bueckers is not just another opponent. She is Martin’s teammate on Breeze BC in Unrivaled and one of the league’s most efficient mid-range scorers, shooting over 51 percent inside the arc.

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Meanwhile, Wilson represents a different category entirely as an established WNBA superstar. For that reason, the question placed Martin between a close friend, a current teammate and an MVP-level veteran. Avoiding the ranking protected all three relationships without diminishing respect for any of them.

What it says about the Clark-Bueckers dynamic

The moment also reflects a larger league reality. Clark and Bueckers have shared attention since their college years and now carry that interest into the WNBA. Both produced strong rookie seasons and are scheduled to meet in the 2026 opener between the Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings.

Soon after, they will share the floor again for USA Basketball during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Puerto Rico.

Because of that overlap, comparisons are unavoidable. Players, however, live inside those comparisons rather than observe them from the outside. Martin’s reaction showed the difference. Analysts debate rankings freely. Teammates protect relationships first.

That balance will continue as Clark and Bueckers compete against each other while also representing the same national team, ensuring the rivalry stays competitive without becoming personal.